MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. (WSVN) – A Central Florida business is hard at work trying to clean up Florida’s “algae emergency.”
Workers of Ecosphere Technologies, a company that develops environmental solutions, are using a machine to “eat away” the algae that has plagued waterways along the Treasure Coast in recent weeks.
“You smell the burning sensation, and it’s just horrific,” said Stephen Leighton with Ecosphere Technologies. “We destroy very tough bacteria strains, as well as algae levels within various types of water, so we’ll be processing roughly approximately 4,000 gallons a minute in this area for the next few days.”
The algae, which has accumulated into a thick, green sludge that resembles guacamole, has made water activities impossible in Martin County. This is especially troublesome during the summer months, where children and families rely on water recreational activities to cool off.
To top it all off, according to officials, the algae is toxic to both humans and wildlife.
Although the task at hand isn’t an easy one, Ecosphere Technologies is no stranger to environmental challenges.
“We’re gonna eradicate it. We’re gonna detail it out,” said Corey McGuire of Ecosphere Technologies. “And like I said, I think it’s a new day for Martin County. We’re gonna move forward and get this squared away.”
The company will be working throughout the next few days on the project and hope to be rid of the algae at the marina by next week.
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