A pilot water treatment project on the Tijuana River has demonstrated significant reductions in bacterial contamination using nano bubble ozone technology.
Greenwater Services, a US-based water technology company, reported that its five-week pilot project achieved an average 91.5% reduction in total coliform bacteria on treatment days.
The pilot was conducted late last year along the flood control plain west of the US-Mexico border and was facilitated by the International Boundary and Water Commission (IBWC). The project received approximately $1.1 million in funding.
The Tijuana River flows north into San Diego County before reaching the Pacific Ocean near Imperial Beach and has long experienced water quality challenges linked to untreated wastewater, stormwater runoff and industrial discharges.
According to Greenwater Services, the pilot significantly exceeded initial performance targets of 15–20% reduction in bacterial contamination.
“We demonstrated that even in one of the most complex and heavily impacted waterways on the US-Mexico border, our technology can deliver measurable results,” said Al George, Chief Executive Officer at Greenwater Services.
Nano bubble ozone technology for river water treatment
The project deployed four units of the company’s Nano Bubble Ozone Technology (NBOT), designed to disinfect contaminated water by infusing it with nano-scale ozone bubbles.
The process targets bacteria and dissolved contaminants while keeping ozone contained within the water column. According to researchers involved in evaluating the system, the process leaves treated water more oxygenated following disinfection.
The technology has been tested in collaboration with academic research partners including Ohio State University.
Operational challenges during the pilot included high volumes of plastic debris in the river, which limited treatment operations to daylight hours when water flows were lower and clogging risks were reduced.
Despite the limited operating window, the treatment system substantially exceeded initial performance targets during active treatment periods.
Expansion plans for US water restoration projects
Following the pilot study, Greenwater Services submitted a technical report to the IBWC outlining recommendations for expanded treatment deployment along the river.
The company estimates that approximately 40 treatment units, combined with filtration systems and continuous operation, would be required to achieve compliance-level improvements across the river system.
Additional environmental restoration projects are planned across the United States. Beginning in April, the company expects to collaborate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection on nutrient reduction initiatives in lakes in Florida.
These projects will focus on reducing phosphorus and nitrogen levels and restoring aquatic ecosystems.
Further coverage of water treatment technologies can be found in the H2O Global News water treatment section.
