In Limpopo, South Africa, microalgae were added to wastewater ponds to treat sewage from 1,560 homes. Without chemicals or electricity, the process—phycoremediation—cut ammonia by 99%, phosphate by 83%, and nitrogen by 73%, offering a low‑cost, eco‑friendly solution for rural sanitation.
(c) Jonothan Taylor/Unsplash CC0
(c) Jonothan Taylor/Unsplash CC0

Microalgae Clean Wastewater Without Chemicals or Power

ECOWATCH

In Limpopo, South Africa, microalgae were added to wastewater ponds to treat sewage from 1,560 homes. Without chemicals or electricity, the process—phycoremediation—cut ammonia by 99%, phosphate by 83%, and nitrogen by 73%, offering a low‑cost, eco‑friendly solution for rural sanitation.

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