May 12, 2025 Moving from Chemicals to Harvesters Saves Waterways

Switching from harsh chemicals to “aquatic harvesters” helps clean waterways and preserve the wildlife inhabitants.

By Tara Lordi, CEO of Weedoo, Inc. 

Every year, municipalities, homeowners, and businesses spend millions of dollars on chemical herbicides to combat aquatic weeds. On the surface, it may seem like a straightforward solution: apply a chemical, kill the weeds, restore the waterway. But beneath the surface—literally and figuratively—this approach is causing a cascade of long-term problems that threaten ecosystems, public health, and financial sustainability

The cycle of chemical application is deceptively simple. Aquatic herbicides are sprayed or dispersed into the water to eliminate invasive species like hydrilla, water hyacinth, and duckweed, which choke out native plants, reduce oxygen levels, and obstruct water flow. While these chemicals may offer temporary relief, the real cost is more than monetary—it’s ecological and generational.

The Chemical Trap: A Short-Term Fix With Long-Term Fallout

One of the most underappreciated consequences of herbicide use is sediment buildup. When aquatic weeds die from chemical exposure, their decomposing biomass sinks to the bottom of lakes, ponds, canals, and rivers. Over time, this organic material accumulates, making waterways shallower and less navigable. The result? Increased flooding risk, reduced recreational use, and higher dredging costs for communities already grappling with shrinking municipal budgets.

More concerning is the inconsistency and potential danger in how these chemicals are applied. A 2021 study by the U.S. Geological Survey examined herbicide concentrations across 74 different river sites in the United States. The findings were troubling: nine different herbicides were detected at levels considered harmful to aquatic wildlife. This isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a public safety concern. Those herbicides that are ingested by aquatic wildlife frequently ends up in the humans that consume them.

Herbicide use often creates a toxic domino effect. Not only do these chemicals pose a risk to fish and amphibians, but they can also leach into groundwater supplies, potentially contaminating drinking water sources and endangering people, pets, and other local wildlife.

Additionally, the cost of chemical herbicide treatment doesn’t end with the first spray. Because it doesn’t address the root cause—organic buildup and invasive growth—it becomes a recurring expense. Each year, new growth emerges, requiring yet another round of chemical treatment. It’s a classic example of treating the symptoms while ignoring the disease. As regulators and environmentalists fight in the courts over carcinogen warnings for chemicals including the herbicide glyphosate, it’s time to look for other solutions. 

A Chemical-Free Solution: Mechanical Harvesting with Weedoo

So, what’s the alternative? For decades, the industry lacked scalable, sustainable, and efficient alternatives to chemical treatment. But that’s changing, thanks in part to innovations from companies like Weedoo.

Weedoo’s advanced aquatic workboats offer a 100% chemical-free method for managing aquatic vegetation. These rugged, purpose-built machines are designed to mechanically harvest invasive plants, algae, and floating debris directly from the water. Rather than poisoning the weeds and allowing them to rot in place, Weedoo harvesters act like an aquatic backhoe, physically removing the biomass, helping to restore depth, flow, and ecological balance.

The goal is to work with nature, not against it. By removing invasive species instead of killing them with chemicals, we’re preventing nutrient cycling that fuels future outbreaks. It’s a long-term investment in healthier waterways – and its cost-effective. One Florida municipality operated a quarter-million-dollar yearly budget allocated to pay a chemical contractor for herbicide application. An investment in two Weedoo boats saved the city almost $650,000 after three years.

The technology is already making waves—literally and figuratively—in 41 U.S. states and 18 countries around the world. From government agencies to private lake and property management firms, organizations are realizing the benefits of mechanical harvesting, not just in terms of environmental impact, but also cost-effectiveness over time.

Case in Point: Brevard County, Florida

A compelling example of Weedoo’s impact comes can be seen in Brevard County, FL. The area had long battled overgrowth in its waterways, with invasive plants clogging canals and contributing to algae blooms that threatened marine life and tourism. Chemical treatments offered temporary relief but failed to address the root of the problem.

In partnership with local authorities, Weedoo deployed its specialized harvesting equipment to remove invasive plants, debris, and muck. The results were immediate and measurable: improved water clarity, restored flow in previously stagnant areas, and a notable reduction in nutrients that contribute to harmful algae blooms.

According to county officials, the use of Weedoo harvesters not only enhanced the health of the ecosystem but also reduced their dependence on herbicides—marking a significant shift toward sustainable water management.

From Red Tide Cleanup to Urban Drainage: A Broad Range of Applications

Weedoo’s work extends far beyond Florida. In Manatee County, the harvesters played a key role in red tide cleanup operations, helping to collect massive quantities of dead fish and plant matter before it could decompose and worsen water quality. In urban areas, Weedoo equipment is used to clear drainage ditches and stormwater retention ponds, improving flood control and storm resilience.

The flexibility of Weedoo’s solutions is part of what makes them so compelling. The machines are small enough to operate in tight residential canals but powerful enough to tackle large-scale restoration projects. They’re engineered to be efficient, environmentally friendly, and easy to maintain.

Public Perception and the Path Forward

One of the challenges facing the transition away from chemical herbicides is public awareness. Many homeowners and lakefront property managers are unaware of the risks associated with herbicide use—or the existence of alternatives. Education is key to driving change.

People need to understand that what goes into the water doesn’t just disappear. Whether it’s herbicides, fertilizers, or garbage, everything we put into our waterways has a consequence. Mechanical harvesting is not only safer; it’s smarter.

The EPA and other regulatory agencies are beginning to take notice. With rising concern over environmental justice, biodiversity loss, and climate resilience, there is growing support for non-chemical alternatives to aquatic weed control. Mechanical harvesting is uniquely positioned to meet these needs.

Conclusion: It’s Time to Rethink Waterway Management

The reliance on chemical herbicides to manage aquatic weeds is a costly and ultimately unsustainable approach. It’s a solution that trades long-term health for short-term convenience—while introducing risks to ecosystems, human health, and municipal budgets.

Mechanical harvesting offers a powerful alternative. By physically removing invasive plants and debris, this method addresses the root causes of waterway degradation without the collateral damage of chemical treatments.

Communities around the world are waking up to the reality that what’s good for the environment is also good for business, public safety, and quality of life.

About the Author:
Tara Lordi is the co-founder and CEO of Weedoo Greenboat, makers of mechanical harvesting boats designed to clear waterways of vegetation without the use of harmful herbicides. Based in Florida, the company’s boats are safely cleaning waterways in 41 states and 18 countries.

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