Water reservoirs located around the country are the main source for the majority of our drinking water. This water can go bad, so in order to keep it healthy, a process called aeration is used.
Aeration injects air bubbles into the water from the bottom of the reservoir. This introduces oxygen and a healthy circulation of water with the following benefits:
| Without Aeration
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With Aeration
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| Blue-green algae bloom on the surface, shutting off light and excreting toxins
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Toxic blue-green algae is reduced due to water flow circulation and thermocline disruption
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| Floating scum on surface of decaying algae
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Floating scum reduced due to water circulation
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| Only a thin layer of water near the surface has oxygen suitable to support fish life
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All of the water column, including the bottom contains oxygen to support fish life
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| Fish must catch food on its way to the bottom
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Fish can feed throughout the water column, including the bottom
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| Dead algae, fish and food settle on the bottom in a decaying, septic, anaerobic sludge
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Bottom sludge becomes aerobic, allowing for a healthy ecosystem
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| Septic water at the bottom is loaded with toxins and contains no oxygen
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Septic water is eliminated due to increased oxygen and circulation
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| Thermoclines within the water column mean the water is warmer at the surface, promoting algal growth
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Thermoclines are mixed to create a constant temperature creating healthy, oxygen rich water
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So while the benefits of aeration systems can clearly be seen, they are not without their problems.
The nozzles can often become blocked and if this happens, the aerator will lose its efficiency.
The air delivery hoses to the aerator can become loose and even come loose due to the vibration caused by bubbles.
Commercial and Specialised Diving have worked on numerous aerators in water reservoirs around the country and can perform an annual survey and maintenance check-up to keep them in tip-top condition.
If you have a project that requires our help, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 01202 580007. 
