Project Page Views: [ 1020 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | Investigation into the causes, impacts and measures to deal with algal blooms in Vartry Reservoirs |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Liwen Xiao |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD) |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.34449, -6.25867 |
| Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 01/03/2015 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 01/03/2018 |
| Project Website (if any) | |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Drinkink water; Vartry resevoir; Diatom algal blooms; Sand filters; Water shortage |
| Project Abstract | Vartry Reservoir is an important drinking water source in Ireland. Diatom algal blooms have caused problems in the sand filters in the Roundwood water treatment plant since 2007 (except 2010). In 2013 and 2014, the situation worsened and serious spring diatom algal blooms occurred, with peak concentrations of diatom algal up to 1750 and 2457 counts/ml, respectively, resulting in serious clogging of the slow sand filters and a reduction in treatment capacity from 75 million litres to 40 million litres per day and consequently water shortages in the North Wicklow and South Dublin area two years in a row. In addition, diatom algal blooms might also contribute to the high THMs in the Vartry Water Supply Scheme. Therefore, the aim of the proposed study is to investigate the cause of the diatom algal blooms in Vartry Reservoir and to identify potential measures to deal with the impact of algal blooms in Roundwood water treatment plants. This proposed project is important not only for the Vartry Water Supply Scheme but also for water supplies nationwide, as more than 70 mesotrophic lakes are used as water supply sources in Ireland. |