Case Studies
Low doses of EarthTec QZ to eradicate quagga mussels from an entire lake
Eradication of New Zealand mud snails from a state fish hatchery
Quagga mussels eradicated from lake with low doses of ionic copper
This report describes the use of the acid-stabilized ionic copper formulation called EarthTec QZ to treat an entire lake heavily infested with quagga mussels for the purpose of eradicating the invasive species. This is the first recorded instance of a lake-wide eradication effort of quagga mussels and is also the largest and deepest lake known to have been the subject of an effort to completely eradicate either quagga or zebra mussels.
EarthTec QZ can effectively suppress zebra mussels according to independent study
A joint study by the USGS and MAIRSC shows that EarthTec QZ can effectively suppress zebra mussels in a lake. The study was conducted on two bays of Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota during the summer of 2019. Preliminary results were presented in a webinar on August 26, 2020.
Oklahoma water provider stops zebra mussels at the source
Arizona fish hatchery controls New Zealand mud snails while preserving fish stocks
New Zealand mud snails have successfully been eradicated from Arizona’s largest fish hatchery dedicated to the production of rainbow and brown trout. Fish mortality rates were within normal operational levels at a low dose of EarthTec QZ. Without an effective treatment, complete eradication of the fish stock and sanitation of the hatchery would have been the only alternative, representing a major monetary loss for the state of Arizona.
Central Arizona Project uses EarthTec QZ to prevent quagga mussels from settling in key pumping plant
A 60-million-gallon-per-day water treatment plant in the Midwestern United States uses EarthTec QZ to keep its intake structure and a 4.5-mile, 92-inch pipeline clear of zebra mussels.
Midwest water treatment plant controls zebra mussels at intake and 4.5-mile pipeline
A 60-million-gallon-per-day water treatment plant in the Midwestern United States uses EarthTec QZ to keep its intake structure and a 4.5-mile, 92-inch pipeline clear of zebra mussels.
Copper more effective than chlorine on dreissenid mussels
A pilot study conducted at a Toronto drinking water treatment plant found that ionic copper is more effective than chlorine for controlling adult and larval dreissenid mussels.
Why copper ion generators aren’t as good as you think
An independent study for the Bureau of Reclamation found that unexpected electrical problems and rapid deterioration of anodes compromised a copper ion generator under real world conditions. As a result, the installation significantly underperformed expectations set by the manufacturer’s manual.