A research team from Adam Mickiewicz University (UAM) has designed and patented a “clean‑water bathing area” that uses submerged barriers and on‑shore filtration to block pollutants and toxic cyanobacteria from reaching swimmers, the university said.
Water is drawn through filters in the lakebed or underlying geological layers, then passes through pumps for aeration, ozonation or ultraviolet treatment before being returned under pressure via diffusers that further oxygenate and warm it, lead researcher Grzegorz Borkowski told the university website.
The system operates continuously throughout the swimming season; when the season ends, the barriers are opened so the treated zone mixes fully with the rest of the lake.
To boost visitor appeal, the scientists propose integrating recreational water features that also assist in cleaning and warming the flow.
The technology, developed by engineers Adam Młynarczyk, Zygmunt Młynarczyk and Borkowski, was presented in early July at the Ministry of Sport and Tourism. State Secretary Piotr Borys and ministry officials discussed nationwide deployment options.
Cyanobacterial blooms are a major summer hazard at Polish bathing sites; university officials say the new system could restore recreational use to many contaminated lakes across the country.
(jh)
Source: PAP