Why Proactive Blue-Green Algae Management Matters for Water Utilities and Communities

Across Australia and New Zealand, water utilities, councils and industrial operators are under increasing pressure to protect water quality while meeting growing environmental, regulatory and community expectations.

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, remains one of the most persistent water quality challenges facing the region. Blooms can affect drinking water sources, recreational waterways, wastewater systems and industrial water assets, creating operational, environmental and public health risks that require careful management.

As a leading supplier of blue-green algae management solutions, IXOM supports organisations across Australia and New Zealand with both preventative and treatment-based approaches designed to protect critical water resources and support long-term water quality outcomes.

Managing Blue-Green Algae Across the Entire Lifecycle

Effective blue-green algae management often requires more than one solution.

Water bodies differ in size, nutrient loads, environmental conditions and operational requirements, meaning management strategies need to be tailored to individual sites and objectives. Some situations benefit from proactive measures that reduce the likelihood of blooms developing, while others require treatment solutions to manage active algae events and maintain water quality.

IXOM supports customers across the entire algae management lifecycle through two complementary solutions:

• SolarBee® uses solar-powered long-distance circulation to disrupt cyanobacteria growth by continuously mixing the water column, reducing stagnation, and exposing cyanobacteria to surface UV light and natural viral agents, making it an effective solution for blue-green algae control in reservoirs and lakes.
• EarthTec® is an APVMA approved, EPA-registered, NSF-certified liquid copper solution designed to rapidly control and prevent cyanobacteria and harmful algal blooms in drinking water systems, often delivering results within 24–36 hours of application.

Together, these solutions help water managers take a holistic, long-term approach to protecting water assets and maintaining healthy waterways.

Prevention Through Improved Water Circulation

Preventing favourable conditions for blue-green algae growth can play an important role in long-term water quality management.

SolarBee® is a solar-powered circulation technology that improves water mixing and reduces stratification in reservoirs, dams, lagoons and other water bodies. By promoting circulation throughout the water column, operators can help mitigate the conditions that support algae formation before blooms become established.

SolarBee® is used across a range of applications, including:

• Source water
• Recreational lakes and ponds
• Irrigation reservoirs
• Industrial water storage facilities
• Wastewater treatment lagoons

As a solar-powered solution, SolarBee® can also support organisations pursuing broader sustainability objectives while maintaining a focus on water quality improvement.

Pamela El Jbeily, IXOM's Business Development Manager for Watercare says "A circular economy isn't just about recycling—it's about getting more value from the resources and assets we already have. SolarBee® helps utilities do exactly that by protecting source water quality, reducing treatment requirements, and extending the useful life of reservoirs through sustainable, solar-powered mixing."

Managing Existing Algae Events

While prevention is an important component of algae management, some situations require active intervention.

EarthTec® provides a treatment solution for addressing existing blue-green algae issues within drinking water sources, reservoirs, industrial systems and wastewater environments. When bloom activity is already impacting water quality or operations, treatment technologies can help operators respond effectively and support ongoing management objectives.

Peter Makris, IXOM's Business Development Manager for Water & Energy says "EarthTec® delivers fast-acting, effective algae control at lower application rates by maximising copper bioavailability, reducing copper loading, and supporting the long-term health of aquatic environments."

For organisations facing active algae events, EarthTec® can provide an important tool within a broader water quality management strategy.

Why Proactive Management Matters

The importance of blue-green algae management extends well beyond operational considerations.

Communities rely on safe drinking water every day. Recreational waterways support local wellbeing, tourism and outdoor activities. Healthy aquatic ecosystems contribute to environmental sustainability and biodiversity.

For drinking water providers, blooms can create challenges associated with toxins, taste and odour compounds, and treatment plant operations. For councils and waterway managers, blooms can affect lakes, reservoirs and rivers used by local communities. In wastewater systems, excessive algae growth can also influence treatment performance and operational efficiency.

By identifying risks early and implementing appropriate management strategies, organisations can better protect water quality, maintain operational reliability and support positive community outcomes.

Tailoring the Right Approach to Each Water Asset

Factors such as nutrient levels, water depth, environmental conditions, asset purpose and operational requirements all influence the most appropriate management strategy. As a result, successful algae management often involves a combination of monitoring, prevention and treatment measures.

IXOM works with customers to understand their specific requirements, identifying solutions that align with their water quality objectives. Whether the focus is reducing the likelihood of future blooms, responding to an active event or developing a longer-term management strategy, a tailored approach can help deliver sustainable outcomes.

Supporting Healthy Waterways Across Australia and New Zealand

The management of blue-green algae is ultimately about protecting the water resources that communities, industries and ecosystems depend on every day. Proactive algae management can contribute to better long-term outcomes for both operators and the communities they serve.

With expertise across water treatment and environmental management, IXOM supports customers throughout Australia and New Zealand with solutions that address both the prevention and treatment of blue-green algae. By combining technical expertise with practical management approaches, IXOM helps organisations protect water quality today while planning for the challenges of tomorrow.