From urban reservoirs to industrial water systems, access to clean water is becoming an increasingly pressing global challenge. Climate change and pollution are putting pressure on water resources across the globe, making effective and sustainable water treatment more important than ever. Dutch water technology company LG Sonic is addressing this challenge with a solution: ultrasound technology that controls harmful algae blooms and improves water quality without chemicals.
Monitor, predict & control
Its core technology, known as the MPC (monitor, predict, control) system, consists of a compact, solar-powered buoy that floats on the water surface. Using targeted ultrasonic frequencies, the system disrupts the growth cycle of algae, preventing blooms before they can dominate lakes and reservoirs. The result is cleaner, healthier water, without harming fish, plants or other aquatic life.
LG Sonic’s technology is now active in 69 countries. Projects cover drinking water reservoirs in Spain, Italy, sites in the Netherlands and much more. Beyond surface water, the company also works on advanced water treatment projects, including the purification of cooling water from nuclear facilities. In these cases, the MPC systems help ensure better water clarity, thus improving ecosystems and avoiding the full circle of nutrient degradation.
Brazil
Some of LG Sonic’s most impactful projects can be found in Latin America. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the company was called in during 2021 to help address a severe water quality crisis. Around nine million people depended on Rio Guandu, a heavily polluted river. Tap water was brown, with a bad odour and at that time 210 tons of chemicals per day were used to purify the water but it wasn’t effective anymore.
A local water company, CEDAE, opted for LG Sonic’s ultrasound technology as a sustainable alternative. Within six weeks of deploying the MPC systems, a significant improvement in water quality was already visible. Algae levels dropped, the smell disappeared, and the reliance on chemicals was drastically reduced. The project demonstrated how technological innovation can quickly translate into tangible benefits for public health and urban resilience.
The Dominican Republic
A similar transformation took place in the Dominican Republic. There, LG Sonic installed 55 MPC systems across 7 square kilometres of lake surface. The ultrasonic treatment led to a rapid reduction in algae blooms, with clear improvements in water quality observed within six weeks. For surrounding communities, this meant safer water, a healthier environment and an improved quality of life.
With pressure on freshwater systems continuing to grow, LG Sonic’s work shows how smart, scalable solutions can make a real difference. From The Hague to the rest of the world, Dutch water innovation is contributing to more resilient and sustainable water management worldwide.
“The urgency of such solutions is only increasing. Water reservoirs around the world are declining, which is of course a worrying development,” she says. “As water levels drop, water quality often deteriorates as well. At the same time, this creates an opportunity to rethink how we manage and protect our water resources. With our technology, we still see a lot of potential to improve water quality”
About Netherlands Water Partnership
LG Sonic is part of the Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP), which connects Dutch water expertise worldwide. The Netherlands is internationally recognised for its leadership in water resilience, treatment technologies and inclusive water management.
About LG Sonic
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