Crews are installing new cleaning technology inside the Bricktown Canal this week.
Five Moleaer Nanobubble Generators will release microscopic oxygen bubbles that are 1 million times smaller than your typical aquarium aerator bubble. At this size, the bubbles actually drift to the bottom of the canal and break down the nutrient load, improving water quality and protecting canal equipment.
“With the nanobubbles, we’ll be able to keep the water cleaner,” Scott Copelin, manager of natural resources for Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation, said. “We want to take good care of our public facilities, and this is a creative solution to improve the maintenance of one of Oklahoma City’s most iconic attractions.”
Installation is expected to last through Friday.
In the short term, nanobubble technology will help improve the cleanliness and clarity of the water. The technology should also improve the smell of the canal.
In the long term, the nanobubble generators should extend the life of the six pumps in the canal, each costing about $50,000. The nanobubbles should also extend the time between major cleanings. Right now, the canal is drained and cleaned about every five years, but cleaner water should extend that timeline.
The water's chemistry is managed, similar to maintaining chemical levels in a pool, but algae growth is still a concern.
“Our team does a great job of keeping the canal clean and skimming as much of the leaves and debris as possible, but algae is still a problem,” Copelin said. “We also ask residents and visitors to help us keep the canal healthy by keeping trash out of the water.”
About the Bricktown Canal
Oklahoma City Parks & Recreation maintains the Bricktown Canal, which is more than 1 mile long and holds 3 million gallons of water. The average depth is 4½ feet. The water circulates with a series of four waterfalls. The canal was built in 1999 as part of the original MAPS at the cost of $23 million.