Question 1

What is the algae biofilter?

Accepted Answer

The algae biofilter is Clean Valley's nature-based remedy for onshore aquaculture wastewater challenges. It harnesses the power of algae to treat water, allowing aquaculture facilities to produce seafood while generating valuable byproducts. It is versatile, compliant with industry standards, and ready for implementation in marine or freshwater facilities.

Question 2

What is hardware-as-a-service (HaaS)?

Accepted Answer

Clean Valley provides its containerized, modular systems, the algae biofilter and the Neptune Hatchery, under a hardware-as-a-service model: the technology at a nominal monthly cost, with a trained technician included to run the system on your behalf. You get access to the equipment and the seed you need without taking out a massive loan, so you can focus on your farm.

Question 3

What does IMTA certified mean?

Accepted Answer

IMTA is integrated multi-trophic aquaculture: pairing species from different levels of the food chain so one organism's waste becomes another's input. Integration of the biofilter within an existing RAS allows aquaculture species to be IMTA-certified, and IMTA-certified bivalves (oysters) are also produced by the biofilter.

Question 4

How does the biofilter lower costs?

Accepted Answer

Efficiency in water quality means less water needs to be pumped into a facility. Recurring costs over a ten year period are almost half of the current state-of-the-art biofilters. And the revenue generated by the valorization of the biofilter's byproducts creates cost-savings on top of that.

Question 5

What happens to the harvested material?

Accepted Answer

Every six to eight months the filtration pods containing the live filtration medium are replaced. The old pod contains collected co-products from the bivalves and algae, a valuable input to industry that turns a waste stream into revenue rather than disposal.

Question 6

Why does onshore aquaculture need this?

Accepted Answer

Onshore aquaculture is one of the most sustainable methods of protein production and is poised to meet growing global food demand, but its maintenance costs run 40% higher than offshore aquaculture, with water quality treatment a major expense. Global aquaculture wastewater filtration was estimated at approximately $12.2 billion by Lux Research.

Question 7

What environmental problems does it address?

Accepted Answer

The biofilter is aimed at removing primary pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus from aquaculture wastewater. This improves water quality sustainably and prevents eutrophication in external water sources: the accumulation of nutrients that causes harmful algae blooms, anoxic 'dead zones', and toxic cyanobacteria.

Question 8

What is a Community Interest Company?

Accepted Answer

A CIC is a legal structure for businesses that exist to benefit the community. Clean Valley CIC's principles are guided by its Community Interest Policy, a framework agreed upon by the whole team and updated annually, committing the company to a responsible and ethical approach to business, audited with the consent of the community.

Question 9

How do consultations work?

Accepted Answer

Send us your contact information and any issues you may be having, and we'll reach out for a consultation interview. Clean Valley subscribes to the best aquaculture practices and uses them alongside colorimeters, industry expertise and water quality technology to provide the most comprehensive review of your water.

Fair questions,straight answers.

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