This Wastewater Plant Found A Surprising, Sustainable Solution To Its Daphnia Problems

An innovative wastewater treatment team in Washington State has struck upon a decidedly natural way of removing a stubborn pest.

“For weeks the staff at the Clarkston Wastewater Treatment Plant battled an aggravating overpopulation of Daphnia in the secondary clarifiers,” Treatment Plant Operator reported. “The tiny crustaceans, often called water fleas, were reproducing in such numbers that they were clogging the screens. A team member suggested putting fish into the clarifiers to eat the Daphnia — and it worked. The Daphnia disappeared.”