Holmes Beach exploring $308K algae harvester purchase

The city of Holmes Beach has found an algae harvester vessel that matches its specifications.

However, finding money to fund the vessel’s price tag is another matter.

City commissioners reached a consensus May 14, directing city engineer and public works superintendent Sage Kamiya to bring back a finalized version of a proposed contract with Wisconsin-based Aquarius Systems to purchase a $308,000 algae harvester vessel.

The city’s clean water committee has pushed since shortly after its creation in 2021 for the purchase of a harvester vessel that can dispose of algal mats and fish kills in the municipality’s waterways. Removing decaying material can reduce foul odors and the water’s nitrogen load.