Georgia Aquarium tackles nitrate challenge, while exceeding sustainability goals

Xylem’s customized filtration solution enables the reuse of 99% of exhibit water and $1.5 million in annual savings.

Georgia Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the Western Hemisphere, is a world leader in aquatic research, animal care and conservation, studying and tending to over 500 species to develop new standards of care and veterinary practices. Among its premier exhibits is the 6.3-million-gallon Ocean Voyager gallery, one of the largest indoor aquatic habitats in the world. The one-of-a-kind immersion experience allows visitors to dive alongside whale sharks, stingrays and thousands of marine creatures, or view them from all sides through an underground acrylic tunnel.

Managing this massive facility and diversity of life is a complex job, requiring the nonprofit scientific institution to process 12 million gallons of water a day. For the Aquarium, having a reliable, effective water management and treatment system is essential.

Addressing unique water management challenges

Most aquariums are located near a coast, allowing them to discharge their used water into the ocean and get fresh replacement water back. Instead, Georgia Aquarium, based in Atlanta, more than 300 miles away from the ocean, must clean, remove waste and treat exhibit water to standards in a closed loop.

When originally envisioning and building the facility nearly two decades ago, the aquarium knew it needed world-class water filtration to help ensure a continuous supply of clean water for its marine life.

Saving water was key for the institution, as producing artificial seawater is expensive at 14 cents a gallon. Georgia Aquarium’s commitment to sustainability also required a filtration solution that would enable and facilitate water reuse – one of the Aquarium’s key sustainability goals. The Aquarium partnered with Xylem, deploying its Neptune Benson water filtration solutions.

Customized solution to remove nitrates

Working together, Georgia Aquarium’s life support systems (LSS) team developed an innovative denitrification process using fiberglass-reinforced plastic sand filter vessels, custom-built by Neptune Benson. The filters were specifically designed to remove nitrates and establish a healthy balance of bacteria.

Xylem supplied almost 200 sand filters in all which continuously recirculate 10 million gallons of artificial seawater to facilitate the reuse of most water at the facility and reduce water consumption.

Achieving nitrate removal and sustainability goals, while reducing water use and costs

The Aquarium’s innovative water filtration system has successfully delivered on the institution’s nitrate removal and water quality goals. In addition, by leveraging reuse, Georgia Aquarium is avoiding the need to dispose of and replace vast quantities of used water. This saves the institution millions of dollars and reduces water consumption, while leading the industry in water quality and clarity.

Due to the high cost of producing artificial seawater and the amount of water used, the filtration systems have the potential to save Georgia Aquarium nearly $1.5 million annually by reusing more than 99% of the 10 million gallons of water across seven major galleries.

“The construction of one of the world’s largest aquariums required experienced suppliers and contractors we knew we could rely on,” said John Masson, Director of Life Support Systems, Georgia Aquarium. “The support before, during and after construction was outstanding.”

Engaging the public on the power of innovative solutions to protect marine life

Xylem is also working with Georgia Aquarium to raise awareness of how the institution’s commitment to using innovative technical solutions is making a difference for marine animals. Last year, Xylem launched an interactive water quality game at the facility that lets visitors repair a virtual exhibit by building a proper filtration system to achieve optimal water quality – protecting whale sharks, manta rays and other marine life.

“Our relationship with Xylem and the Clean Water Challenge game enables us to teach our patrons about how clean, sustainable water is an essential part of our animal care,” said Hiroshi Okuda, Senior Director of Strategic Marketing & Corporate Partnerships at Georgia Aquarium.

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