But, more importantly, Knighton says, the moss also prevents the growth of biofilm, mats of bacteria that stick to pool surfaces and coat the inside of pipes, causing corrosion. Biofilm absorbs the chlorine added to the pool, requiring increasing amounts of chlorine to maintain the required levels in the pool water. As biofilm disappears from the pool with the use of moss, chlorine requirements decline. "The moss allows chlorine to do its job," Knighton said. "The amount of chlorine you need decreases by 50 percent." The Saint Paul outdoor pool saved around $35,000 in chemical costs this summer, Waldorf said. Meanwhile, revenue increased $100,000 as more swimmers visited the pool. Knighton's business first targeted home spas (hot tubs) and pools. The Saint Paul pools were the first test of the system at a larger scale. However, this is just the beginning of the applications Knighton has in mind. He is also targeting spa manufacturers, who fill their spas with water for testing in the factory. Some of the water used in testing remains in the spas, where biofilm forms. This means home spas start out with a dose of biofilm before they're ever used. Installing moss treatment in the factories could prevent this initial contamination, he said. A trial with one spa manufacturer reduced the initial biofilm load by 95 percent. Knighton is also testing poultry watering systems to see if treating the water with moss changes the quality of the eggs and meat that result. He has developed a system for treating home water supplies that has been installed on a trial basis in about 20 homes. "I've had moss in my house for two years, and people think I have bottled water," he said. Any industry that uses water could potentially benefit from moss treatment. Knighton wants to install his system on the cooling water at a power plant to test its effects on the water there. For now, Knighton's products are filled with moss from New Zealand, where there is already a sphagnum moss harvesting industry in place. Moss is harvested by hand and flown out by helicopter to prevent damage to the bogs where the moss grows. Knighton is currently lobbying Minnesota officials to develop regulations for sustainable moss harvest. "Northern Minnesota is the Saudi Arabia of moss," he said. Related Links: |
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