Team:Lethbridge/Implementation

CyaNoMore

Implementation

We have determined three possible demographics that would be interesting in the use of our system; government, agriculture, and the water activity enthusiasts. As the federal and provincial governments heavily regulate treatment applied to bodies of water, this demographic will play a big role. To discuss what steps we would need to take and what these policies may look like, we plan to get into contact with individuals involved in regulation and policy making regarding synthetic biology applications to bodies of water.

The second demographic we have identified includes the agriculture sector. Albertan farmers often rely on man-made bodies of water that can be prone to cyanobacteria blooms, such as farm dugouts. While there are more treatment options applicable to man-made bodies of water, they still have their limitations. For example, many farmers choose to raise fish in their dugouts or have animals such as cattle that have access to the water. Chemicals such as copper sulphate treatments are toxic to beneficial aquatic organisms as well as animals. However, because of these off-target effects, many products using copper sulfate are no longer used or legally sold in Canada.

The third demographic that may be interested in our proposed solution is the general public. Various recreational aquatic activities are interrupted each summer when cyanobacteria blooms form. Some examples of activities interrupted by cyanobacteria blooms include: fishing, boating, swimming and other water sports.