As part of ohio EPA's technology assessment program, this project aims to demonstrate the potential of electric cell lysis (ECL) as an effective mitigation strategy for nutrient runoff and harmful…

This Project Grant award of $500,000 from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Geographic Programs - Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (CFDA 66.469) aims to demonstrate the potential of electric cell lysis (ECL) as an effective mitigation strategy for nutrient runoff and harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the Western Lake Erie watershed.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (Ohio EPA), partnering with the Cleveland Water Alliance (CWA), will pilot the ECL technology in three manure lagoon systems at dairy operations and conduct two stakeholder engagement workshops to evaluate the benefits and barriers to adoption. The project goals are to demonstrate the ECL technology's effectiveness, identify concrete value propositions for farmers, and encourage producers and agribusinesses to adopt innovative nutrient runoff reduction approaches. The subaward to CWA will contribute to this effort by assisting with the pilots and workshops. The project will run from October 1, 2024 to March 31, 2027.

As part of ohio EPA's technology assessment program, this project aims to demonstrate the potential of electric cell lysis (ECL) as an effective mitigation strategy for nutrient runoff and harmful algal blooms (habs). Ohio EPA will partner with cleveland water alliance (CWA) to pilot the technology in three manure lagoon systems at dairy operations in the western lake erie watershed and conduct two stakeholder engagement workshops to evaluate the benefits and barriers to adoption.activities:outreach to and education of producers is a central and essential focus of this project. Recognizing that producers are the decision makers for their operations, their active engagement in this project will be critical for evaluation of the utility of this technology. The ohio EPA, along with CWA will plan and conduct two public workshops: institutional stakeholder workshop and a farmer workshop. Following compilation of final reporting materials, work will be done to leverage insights from the proposed pilots to evaluate paths to market entry.subrecipient:the recipient will work with cleveland water alliance (CWA) to pilot the electric cell lysis technology in three manure lagoons systems at dairy operations in the western lake erie watershed. The ohio EPA, along with CWA will plan and conduct two public workshops: institutional stakeholder workshop and farmer workshop. And, following compilation of final reporting materials, work will be done to leverage insights from the proposed pilots to evaluate paths to market entry.outcomes:the goals of this project are to pilot the ECL technology in actual farm setting to demonstrate an effective mitigation strategy for nutrient runoff and habs; and a service with concrete value proportions for farmers that indicate the potential for scaled market adoption. IT will encourage producers and agribusinesses to adopt innovative technologies and performance-based approaches to reduce excess nutrient runoff. IT will also allow for improved land applications with: increased application rates (based on nitrogen needs); less commercial fertilizer; less phosphrous runoff resulting in less habs in lake erie; less pathogens, and less odor. Results of the demonstration are anticipated to identify additional studies or timeframes that may be necessary to address questions arising based on these outcomes. This project will benefit the citizens of toledo, ohio and surrounding areas, as IT intends to reduce habs.