A Cape Coral company is testing out a product that may eliminate algae in Southwest Florida waterways.
A team of scientists and experts are placing a barrier across the Cabot Canal Thursday morning. It’s located in Cape Coral near Veterans Memorial Parkway.
The turbidity barrier will stretch from top to bottom, separating the water that will be treated. This is something that has never been done before in state open water.
After receiving state approval, Ecological Laboratories Incorporated tested out the quality of the water on Tuesday. Scientists say the lab results aren't fully completed yet but that the water is in really bad condition.
The company is using a type of bacteria to kill the algae. It's called aerobic anaerobic photosynthetic. They say it's completely natural and not harmful to the water. The bacteria targets what the algae needs to grow and survive, which is nutrients.
The company will place signs along the canal warning neighbors that the water is being treated. Each household already received a letter notifying them of the test trial.
The company has up to 180 days to test out the product. If it works, they say the water should look completely different in just a few weeks.
