Ultrasonic Water Monitoring for Algae Control

LG Sonic will present its ultrasonic algae control and real-time monitoring technology for drinking water and treatment applications during three industry events in the United States in April 2026. The focus is on preventive source water management to address harmful algal blooms and reduce treatment complexity.

Managing Algal Risk at the Source Rather Than in Treatment
Water utilities managing surface water sources face recurring challenges related to cyanobacteria growth, seasonal variability, and tightening regulatory thresholds. These conditions directly affect chemical dosing requirements, filtration performance, and operational stability. Addressing algae at the source—before intake—reduces downstream process variability and limits the formation of taste-and-odor compounds.

At events including Texas Water 2026 (San Antonio, April 27–30), the Florida Water Resources Conference (Daytona Beach, April 26–29), and the WQA Convention & Expo (Miami Beach, April 28–30), LG Sonic will present implementation approaches tailored to these operational constraints.

Event Discussions Focused on Region-Specific Water Challenges
At Texas Water 2026, held at the Henry B. González Convention Center (Innovation Lounge, Booth 1), the technical focus is on reservoir management under seasonal stress conditions. Topics include mitigation of harmful algal blooms, control of taste-and-odor compounds, and the use of real-time monitoring data to support municipal decision-making in surface water systems.

At the Florida Water Resources Conference (Ocean Center, Booth 157), discussions address early-stage bloom detection and maintaining stable water quality in warm, nutrient-rich environments. The emphasis is on reducing chemical dependency by intervening before biomass accumulation reaches treatment-critical thresholds.

At the WQA Convention & Expo (Miami Beach Convention Center, Booth 1137), the focus shifts to downstream impacts in commercial and residential treatment systems. Topics include how intake water conditions influence filtration loading, membrane fouling rates, and maintenance cycles, linking source water control directly to lifecycle costs.

Ultrasound-Based Algae Control Without Chemical Intervention
The system is based on the MPC-Buoy platform, which combines ultrasonic emission with integrated water quality sensors. Ultrasonic waves disrupt cyanobacteria buoyancy by affecting intracellular gas vesicles. This causes algae to sink below the photic zone, where light availability is insufficient for photosynthesis, effectively limiting growth.

This mechanism avoids cell rupture, which is commonly associated with chemical algaecides and can lead to toxin release. As a result, the approach supports compliance with drinking water standards by preventing bloom formation rather than treating its consequences.

Real-Time Monitoring Integrated into Operational Systems
The platform continuously measures parameters including temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll-a, and phycocyanin. These indicators provide early signals of biological activity and water quality shifts. Data transmission allows integration into SCADA environments, enabling operators to correlate biological trends with treatment performance and adjust processes accordingly.

Operational Implications Across Water Treatment Applications
The system is deployed in municipal reservoirs, treatment plant intakes, and industrial water systems. Its solar-powered configuration enables autonomous operation, particularly in remote or distributed assets.

By stabilizing source water conditions, utilities can reduce filtration load, limit chemical consumption, and extend equipment service intervals. The approach supports more predictable plant operation and aligns with the adoption of digital infrastructure in water management.

The technology has been implemented across multiple regions, supporting consistent water quality control under varying environmental conditions.

Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals Editor — Adapted by AI.

www.lgsonic.com