abstract |
A method and apparatus are described for improving the aerobic and nutrient quality of a body of water in a reservoir which contains undesirable dissolved salts and harmful microorganisms, by incorporating into the water effective amounts of oxygen-generating microorganisms, microorganisms with an affinity for dissolved salts, and enzymes and nutrients for the microorganisms, and maintaining effective concentrations of the microorganisms, enzymes and nutrients in the water while the microorganisms convert the dissolved salts into insoluble salts which precipitate and to remove or deactivate the harmful microorganisms. The apparatus includes supply tanks containing water slurries of the microorganisms, enzymes and nutrients, conduits to convey supply water, slurries, enzymes and nutrients into the water, an optional spray to aerate some slurry as it sprays onto the surface of the water; and pumps in the conduits to maintain such effective concentrations of the microorganisms, enzymes and nutrients in the water. The system may be controlled by a computer. Typical of the applications for which this invention can be used is the rejuvenation and enhancement of irrigation water supplies for golf course and parks and well as waterusing businesses such as car washes. When used for parks and golf courses, one of the desirable results is the enhancement of growth and physical condition of the vegetation of the course or park. In both the golf course/park situation and the car wash situation, the use of this invention allows the more efficient use of cleaning and/or fertilizing materials with resultant improvement in the cost-effectiveness of operation of the facility. |