Do you have what it takes to improve freshwater globally?
Phoslock Environmental Technologies (PET) is a global leader in the treatment and remediation of freshwater, particularly those impacted by excessive phosphorus concentrations.
With an expanding global footprint, the company is growing its Distributor Partnership network throughout Europe and other regions, offering opportunities for industry specialist service providers to become authorised Phoslock and Phosflow distributors and applicators.
According to PET’s General Manager for Europe, Damian Whelan, the partnership offers water management specialists a way to expand and fully integrate their services. “We’re inviting water industry experts that are interested in adding leading technologies to their business, to look at becoming an accredited PET Distribution Partner,” Damian explained.
Globally, PET works closely with trusted business partners that use their products: Phoslock® and Phosflow™ in their suite of services to offer their customers. Business partners are experts in water quality management for lakes, ponds, wastewater, stormwater, livestock, and agricultural runoff; most provide a full range of services for their customers, such as project planning, applications, water sampling, scientific testing, site surveys and reviews.
“When they join our network, we provide full access, support, and technical product knowledge education for the smooth incorporation of PET solutions to their product offering,” said Damian, and he added, “It means that together we can deliver sustainable end-to-end solutions that tackle nutrient pollution and the impacts of climate change on freshwaters in a seamless way for end-users.”
With over 20 years of experience in water remediation, PET is an established global company with an enviable reputation for leading effective restoration projects around the world. With more than 300 waterbodies treated globally, its flagship product Phoslock has been assessed in more than 120 independent peer-reviewed papers. “It’s all about restoring polluted systems towards a more desirable condition,” Damian said.
With an expanding global footprint, the company is growing its Distributor Partnership network throughout Europe and other regions
PET’s products are environmentally friendly and supported by scientific research. Phoslock also has key water safety accreditations in multiple regions around the world. “By gaining access to a proven, leading technology for phosphorus remediation of waterbodies, our Partners can expand the solutions on offer to their customers, addressing problematic nutrient loads in our waterways with a safe, effective treatment solution”, noted Damian. “Our aim is to deliver water management solutions that are practical, effective, efficient and safe, with long-term consumer and community benefits.”
More than 120 peer-reviewed papers have been published about Phoslock, which also has key water safety accreditations in multiple regions
Phoslock is designed for use in static waters, such as ponds and lakes, and is a scientifically tested, eco-friendly water treatment
Access to world-leading water remediation solutions
PET’s product solutions target excess phosphorus for both static and flowing freshwater systems.
Phoslock is designed for use in static waters, such as ponds and lakes, and is a scientifically tested, eco-friendly water treatment. This unique water management technology improves the ecological structure and function of waterbodies by significantly reducing the available phosphorus concentrations in the water column and those released from sediment complexes. Made of lanthanum-modified bentonite, Phoslock binds with phosphorus, permanently locking it up and making it inert in the system. Developed by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Phoslock has been extensively researched for more than two decades by independent experts as having distinct advantages over other in-lake phosphorus control treatments.
For flowing water systems, Phosflow™ is an environmentally safe solution for phosphorus removal and remediation. Developed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the US EPA, Phosflow is made from sustainable, naturally occurring mineral materials that adsorb phosphorus from water upon contact. It can be used in a variety of applications such as municipal wastewater, waterways, stormwater infrastructure, livestock runoff and agricultural runoff to remove phosphorus before it travels to other water systems. Phosflow is simple to use, non-hazardous, insoluble in water and non-toxic to aquatic plants and wildlife.
Combined, the Phoslock and Phosflow technologies provide an end-to-end solution for the removal of excess phosphorus from freshwater systems in a way that is simple, sustainable and safe.
Phoslock can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Methane emissions from freshwater sources are expected to increase due to ecosystem changes and excess nutrients entering freshwater systems due to changes in climate patterns. Natural lakes are reported to contribute ~70% of all freshwater methane emissions, contributing ~43% of total global natural emissions. Shallow, smaller lakes emit more methane than deeper and larger ones, and lakes suffering from nutrient pollution emit more methane than lakes in good condition due to the accumulation of organic matter on the sediment surface.
Damian says Phoslock can help reduce these greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts. “A recent study found that its use can reduce methane emissions by up to 74%, with the potential to reduce other GHG release as well,” he said.
Made of lanthanum-modified bentonite, Phoslock binds with phosphorus, permanently locking it up and making it inert in the system
Methane is the second most important greenhouse gas contributor to climate change, responsible for approximately 20% of the total effect, with freshwater bodies a significant natural source. Phoslock works by reducing the phosphorus concentrations in a waterbody, which can reduce the amount of organic material in the sediment, Damian explained. “The result is less methane emissions through organic material breakdown”, he noted, adding that “it is an important option as we work toward meeting global and local emissions reduction targets.”
Combined, the Phoslock and Phosflow technologies provide an end-to-end solution for the removal of excess phosphorus from freshwater systems
Natural lakes are reported to contribute ~70% of all freshwater methane emissions, contributing ~43% of total global natural emissions
Think ahead with “Plan A” when treating phosphorus pollution
According to Damian, “Plan A” highlights autumn as the start of the best time of year to treat lakes and ponds suffering from phosphorus nutrient pollution using Phoslock. “As the majority of the available phosphorus is typically in the sediments during this time, it makes the perfect time to apply Phoslock, as Phoslock works by controlling phosphorus release from bed sediments.”
It is a good time for waterbody owners, managers and operators to plan now for next year’s warmer seasons. “It is also a time of year when many waterbodies are not used as much for recreation, meaning there is less risk of disturbance to businesses and waterbody users during the remediation process.”
Damian said there are several benefits to treating lakes and ponds with Phoslock in the cooler seasons. “Making the application during our colder months is a preventative, proactive measure.” It optimises treatment timing in a way that helps to minimise the potential of waterbodies being closed due to poor water quality during spring and summer when the use of lakes and waterbodies for water sports and recreational activities is popular.
He says nutrient pollution management is a complex global challenge, but one that can be prevented and controlled. “It’s important to think through the timing, so that we can treat and remediate our lakes and waterways in time for peak use periods.”
Understanding what’s possible
Damian says he is keen to talk with anyone interested in being part of PET’s European network or would like to know more about the company’s water remediation products.
“It’s all about making sure that we can restore and safeguard healthy waterways for all users, now and into the future. Water is a precious resource that unless we act now will become more challenging to manage and keep at a good quality.
“Our goal through these partnerships is to achieve stronger partner and customer relationships that help us all to address phosphorus pollution, reduce climate change impacts on freshwater systems and reduce GHG emissions from waterbodies – in a way that works, is sustainable, and safe.”
More information about the benefits of being a distributor and what you can expect from the partnership can be found here: www.petwatersolutions.com/become-phoslock-phosflow-distributor.