Site Description
Nieuwe Meer is located approximately 5kms to the south-west of central Amsterdam. It has a max. depth of 31m and covers an area of approximately 1.25 km2. Attracting a host of locals and visitors, Lake Nieuwe Meer is popular for its spectacular beaches, water sports, and boating activities.
Project Brief
ISS Flowthrough was approached to design, manufacture, and supply an ISS Flowthrough lake aeration/water mixing system for the large water body. The design was constrained by the following criteria;
- The system required should assist in the amelioration of potentially harmful Microcystis blooms and surface scums.
- The proposed design needed to only mix the epilimnion layers of the lake (upper 15m of the water column). Thereby, assisting in improving the efficiency of existing abstraction used to provide cold water for the air conditioning systems of local businesses.
- The system should not present any interference to recreational or commercial activities on the lake.
- The design should be robust, adaptable and with low ongoing maintenance requirements.
To our knowledge, such an approach to lake mixing to control epilimnetic cyanobacteria blooms whilst maintaining thermal stratification has never been undertaken previously. The scope of the project is therefore to design a system that can mix either the full depth of the lake or at a water depth of 15m below the surface and assist in the amelioration of potentially harmful blue-green algae.
The Solution
ISS Flowthrough delivered a custom-designed diffused aeration system to Nieuwe Meer. The system consisted of 7 (no) diffuser lines totalling 216 diffuser heads and over 5 miles of airline deployed throughout the waterbody.
The benefits of this system include:
- Unique and patented self-balancing feature: the ISS Flowthrough regulator ensures that each diffuser receives the correct volume of air no matter their position or depth.
- System operates at a lower pressure reducing the systems demand for energy and so a reduction in energy costs.
- High quality grade materials to prevent corrosion.
The Results
This video shows one of the lines of the ISS Flowthrough designed and supplied aeration system installed in Nieuwe Meer. The system continues operating to reduce the impacts of thermal stratification above the epilimnion and harmful algal blooms by mixing the upper 15m of the water column in the lake.
ISS Flowthrough continues to support Hoogheemraadshap van Rijnland with system maintenance to ensure optimal function in conjunction with Duik- en Bergingsbedrijf Europa.