Blueplanet SA has been appointed by Magalies Water to assist in the remediation efforts of the Hartbeespoort dam.

Position Statement: Hartbeespoort Dam Integrated Restoration project for Magalies Water
BluePlanet SA has been appointed by Magalies Water to assist in the remediation efforts of the Hartbeespoort dam. BluePlanet, a specialist bioremediation company is up to the task of remediating one of the most notable and hypertrophic (nutrient dense) bodies of water in the country to restore its’ intrinsic values and biochemical processes.
Utilizing Moleaer™ Nanobubble technology as a foundational tool in the multifaceted remedial program, our approach is designed to restore healthy biological processes to the ecosystem.
The Role of Nanobubble Technology
Nanobubble technology is a transformative innovation that efficiently dissolves oxygen into aquatic ecosystems. A lack of oxygen—caused by excessive biomass growth—leads to mass fish kills and diminished biological nutrient processing. A healthy water body requires enough oxygen, microbial life, and oxidation potential to handle nutrient loading. However, due to excessive nutrient input—primarily from non-compliant wastewater discharge—over 70% of South Africa’s water bodies have lost these essential factors.
In the Hartbeespoort Dam, biomass accumulation is a twofold issue:
Floating biomass in the form of hyacinth, which blocks beneficial ultraviolet light and atmospheric oxygen exchange.
Suspended biomass, primarily harmful algal blooms, which thrive when hyacinth levels are reduced.
Both cases stem from nutrient overloading, particularly nitrate and phosphate, which are banked in the accumulated bottom sludge and continuously flux back into the water column.
Nutrients also enter the system consistently from upstream sources due to subpar wastewater treatment discharge. Managing both point-source pollution and accumulated nutrient loads is essential—preferably through biological means that support the natural nutrient cycling process without relying on chemicals.
The Uniqueness of Moleaer™ Nanobubble Generators

Moleaer™ Nanobubble generators provide high-efficiency oxygen transfer at any depth, unlike traditional aeration methods that focus on surface-level oxygenation (epilimnion), where atmospheric exchange already supplies a significant amount of oxygen. The real challenge lies in deep water zones, where accumulated sludge and decomposing plant matter deplete oxygen levels and release trapped nutrients like nitrate and phosphate.
By distributing dissolved oxygen throughout the water column, nanobubble technology creates ideal conditions for:
Aquatic life restoration
Beneficial microbial growth to outcompete pathogenic microbes like E. coli
Nutrient breakdown and organic sludge digestion
How Nanobubbles Work

Beyond efficient oxygen transfer, nanobubbles have additional benefits:
Extremely small size – approximately 2,500 times smaller than a grain of salt.
Lack of buoyancy, allowing them to remain suspended and react in deeper water layers.
Increased spread and coverage, ensuring effective treatment even from shore-based equipment.
Sustained reaction rates, continuously improving water conditions over extended periods.

These traits help increase the Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) of water, naturally binding phosphorus into sediment, and reducing its availability for hyacinth and harmful algal blooms. This immobilization process is a globally recognized best practice for phosphorus management.
Data Collection & Long-Term Strategy
With a large Nanobubble generator installed at Ifafi Aquatic Club, targeting the immediate bay and Swartspruit inlet, we are gathering extensive data to inform the design of a full-scale remediation solution for the Hartbeespoort Dam.
Given the decades-long accumulation of waste and nutrients, remediation will not happen overnight. Daily wastewater loading, environmental changes, and ongoing human impact mean that a combined and adaptable approach is required.
BluePlanet SA and Moleaer™ are proud to contribute to the restoration efforts, leveraging foundational nanobubble technology alongside the collaborative interventions led by Magalies Water and various service providers. While some interventions focus on short- and medium-term solutions, BluePlanet SA’s approach—targeting sludge digestion, nutrient management, and aquatic microbial support—is designed for long-term ecological restoration.
The Need for Upstream Pollution Control
One of the most critical factors in accelerating restoration is reducing pollution at its source. We encourage industrial, commercial, and state-owned entities to collaborate with us in deploying targeted treatment strategies at pollution ingress hotspots to prevent further contamination of the Hartbeespoort Dam.
Transparency & Future Outlook
We are committed to transparent data collection, analyzing the effects of treatment in specific zones of the dam. This data will help scale the solution across the entire water body and, ideally, extend remediation upstream into the Crocodile River and Swartspruit catchments and its feeders.
For more information, please contact:
Nanobubble Specialist & Project Communications
Rowan McDonald
or
CEO
Heiner Dominick
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