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In attempts to wipe out this problem, scientists have studied and learned more about the zebra mussels life cycle. It is now known that zebra mussel spawning periods start earlier and end later in the year than previously thought. Also, the average female has the ability to produce over one million eggs yearly compared to previous thought 40,000. Today scientists know that infestations have spread much quicker than first predicted from Northeastern Canada to Florida and from New York to Denver. In addition, because spawning can occur in water temperatures down to 44¾F, the infestations in the southern part of the US could last year-round.

Extensive research is seeking new treatments because current methods have problems:
1. Thermal shock this is limited to only a few power facilities having the design ability to use this approach,

2. Scraping this includes physical removal of mussels from the pipelines using divers, cleaning with compressible polyethylene plugs (known as pigs), or manually pressure cleaning. All are time-consuming and costly.

3. Chlorine or bromine gas this requires that a potable water supply be available to maintain and operate the treatment system and that air scrubbers filter polluting exhaust. Because of possible dangerous leaks and other handling hazards associated with chlorine and bromine gas, many power plants, manufacturing plants and municipalities are required by their insurance underwriters to switch to liquid sodium hypochlorite.

4. Potassium permanganate this is considerably more expensive than chlorine treatment. Also, residual manganese can cause piping tuberculation or pinkish discoloration in finished water.

5. Non-oxidizing cationic surfactant biocides use as a molluscide is currently approved in only a few states, and there is great concern as to its long term effect on the environment.

6. Liquid sodium hypochlorite this treatment is most widely used because it is extremely effective & costs less than all other options.

However, there are three operating problems:

a. corrosion deposits build up within the liquid sodium hypochlorite feed lines and water intake lines,

b. stalagtite hard water deposits build up within the liquid sodium hypochlorite feed lines and water intakes.

c. “gassing” within the intake lines causes cavitation of the liqiuid sodium hypochlorite feed pumps.
The first two problems impede the treatment, while the third problem stops the treatment altogether. When SeaQuest is added directly to the liquid sodium hypochlorite tanks (or drums), all three operating problems disappear and effective continuous control is reestablished.

One example of this success occurred at a major northeastern system, heavily infested with zebra mussels. First they used liquid sodium hypochlorite to prevent clogging their intake lines. When they discovered hard water/corrosion deposits severely restricting the flow of treatment, they were forced to hire divers to manually scrape these deposits at a cost of $20,000 per dive. But after only 2 weeks, the problem returned. To get rid of the problem permanently without spending more money on divers, they decided on SeaQuest. After several SeaQuest applications, the deposits were removed and full design flow capacity returned.

At another northeastern system, a “gassing” problem developed just where the sodium hypochlorite feed entered into the intake line. This “gassing” built up so much pressure that the liquid sodium hypochlorite feed pumps stopped pumping. After several SeaQuest applications, the problem disappeared totally and never returned upon continued use of SeaQuest.

Zebra mussels that plague power plants and drinking water systems have a new enemy, SeaQuest manufactured in Atlanta, Georgia by Aqua Smart, Inc.. This is the same safe product used for years by numerous public and private water systems around the world to control corrosion, scale, lead & copper, distribution piping deposits, discolored water, and THM problems. SeaQuest joins with liquid sodium hypochlorite treatment used to control zebra mussel infestations.
The zebra mussel, and its imported relative, the quagga, represent one of the most economically staggering problems to face power and drinking water supply plants this century. By attaching themselves to water pipes or anything they can get a hold of, these damaging clams pollute drinking water, cut off flow through cooling water, and clog intake valves. Most important, they are life threatening when clogging safety system fire fighting pipelines. Potential damage estimates to the Great Lakes alone have exceeded $5 billion.

In attempts to wipe out this problem, scientists have studied and learned more about the zebra mussels life cycle. It is now known that zebra mussel spawning periods start earlier and end later in the year than previously thought. Also, the average female has the ability to produce over one million eggs yearly compared to previous thought 40,000. Today scientists know that infestations have spread much quicker than first predicted from Northeastern Canada to Florida and from New York to Denver. In addition, because spawning can occur in water temperatures down to 44¾F, the infestations in the southern part of the US could last year-round.

Extensive research is seeking new treatments because current methods have problems:

1. Thermal shock this is limited to only a few power facilities having the design ability to use this approach,

2. Scraping this includes physical removal of mussels from the pipelines using divers, cleaning with compressible polyethylene plugs (known as pigs), or manually pressure cleaning. All are time-consuming and costly.

3. Chlorine or bromine gas this requires that a potable water supply be available to maintain and operate the treatment system and that air scrubbers filter polluting exhaust. Because of possible dangerous leaks and other handling hazards associated with chlorine and bromine gas, many power plants, manufacturing plants and municipalities are required by their insurance underwriters to switch to liquid sodium hypochlorite.

4. Potassium permanganate this is considerably more expensive than chlorine treatment. Also, residual manganese can cause piping tuberculation or pinkish discoloration in finished water.

5. Non-oxidizing cationic surfactant biocides use as a molluscide is currently approved in only a few states, and there is great concern as to its long term effect on the environment.

6. Liquid sodium hypochlorite this treatment is most widely used because it is extremely effective & costs less than all other options.

However, there are three operating problems:

a. corrosion deposits build up within the liquid sodium hypochlorite feed lines and water intake lines,

b. stalagtite hard water deposits build up within the liquid sodium hypochlorite feed lines and water intakes.

c. “gassing” within the intake lines causes cavitation of the liqiuid sodium hypochlorite feed pumps.

The first two problems impede the treatment, while the third problem stops the treatment altogether. When SeaQuest is added directly to the liquid sodium hypochlorite tanks (or drums), all three operating problems disappear and effective continuous control is reestablished.

One example of this success occurred at a major northeastern system, heavily infested with zebra mussels. First they used liquid sodium hypochlorite to prevent clogging their intake lines. When they discovered hard water/corrosion deposits severely restricting the flow of treatment, they were forced to hire divers to manually scrape these deposits at a cost of $20,000 per dive. But after only 2 weeks, the problem returned. To get rid of the problem permanently without spending more money on divers, they decided on SeaQuest. After several SeaQuest applications, the deposits were removed and full design flow capacity returned.

At another northeastern system, a “gassing” problem developed just where the sodium hypochlorite feed entered into the intake line. This “gassing” built up so much pressure that the liquid sodium hypochlorite feed pumps stopped pumping. After several SeaQuest applications, the problem disappeared totally and never returned upon continued use of SeaQuest.