Leading global water tech company BlueGreen Water Technologies Ltd. (“BlueGreen”) today announced that it has completed a successful toxic algae intervention at Setumo Dam in South Africa.

The rehabilitation of Setumo Dam has significantly improved both water availability as well as water quality to the half a million people that rely on this important water supply source. Moreover, the now-clean dam presents a historical opportunity for local authorities to make good use of the dam’s full potential as a major recreational attraction.

BlueGreen introduced its proprietary integrated suite of technologies to Setumo Dam in March 2021 in collaboration with Sedibeng Water and Rand Water.

The special treatment protocol implemented was tailored for the unique extreme conditions in Setumo Dam to reduce the massive toxic algae in the water and while eliminating the disturbing taste and odor compounds from the drinking water.

The toxic algae bloom outbreak at Setumo Dam was considered one of the worst cases of harmful algal blooms in South Africa. The heavy cyanobacterial load in the dam rendered it as ‘untreatable’.

“BlueGreen Water Technologies is committed to making drinking water safe,” explained Eyal Harel, CEO and co-founder of the company.

“We undertook this project pro-bono, due to its huge impact on the local community. Setumo Dam is the beating heart of the province. Having eliminated the toxic algae in the water facilitated both safe drinking water for the community as well as created the opportunity for Mahikeng to unleash the Dam’s full potential for recreational and religious purposes.”

“Setumo Dam’s water quality was far below the levels deemed safe and approved by the World Health Organization and the South African Bureau of Standards (SANS 241),” said Jurgens van Loggerenberg, Director of Africa for BlueGreen Water Technologies Ltd. “This project has positively impacted more than half a million lives as a direct result of BlueGreen’s intervention.”

This historic achievement is the result of a joint collaboration with the Department of Water and Sanitation, Sedibeng Water and Rand Water Analytical Services working together to ensure the project at the Setumo Dam is successful.

BlueGreen Water Technologies Ltd. continues to operate in South Africa and collaborate with local water boards, municipalities, and the agriculture market with the intention to improve their water availability and water quality and empower them to independently reclaim their water sources.