A California farm facing drought had a 30-acre pond contaminated by algae blooms from nutrient runoff. SludgeHammer’s PondBot, a solar-powered robot, was introduced and did wonders for the farm.
In Northern California, a farm facing a severe drought relied on a 30-acre rainwater catchment pond for livestock water. However, nutrient runoff from upstream livestock grazing caused a dense algae bloom, making the water unusable. SludgeHammer® was called in to address the issue and ensure the pond remained a viable water source for the farm.
The farm’s freshwater supply, including the rainwater catchment pond, was at risk due to nutrient runoff from nearby livestock grazing. As the algae bloom spread, it threatened to deplete the farm’s water resources during a critical drought, leaving the pond unusable for livestock.
SludgeHammer® introduced the PondBot, a solar-powered, self-propelled robot designed to aerate and inoculate the pond water with SludgeHammer Blend™ bacteria. The PondBot worked for three weeks, consuming the nutrients from animal waste and starving out the algae, ultimately clearing the water and restoring it for use by livestock.
The pond also became a healthier ecosystem, with improved plant life and a more balanced habitat for fish, amphibians, and insects. The PondBot’s continuous aeration and bacterial treatment helped prevent future algae blooms and maintained water quality, all while operating autonomously and being remotely monitored.
