Phosphorus Captured. Water Quality Restored.
The CAPTure™ system is a simple, groundbreaking modular technology solution for removing dissolved phosphorus from agricultural drainage and runoff before it can mix with local surface waters.
Acres Treated Per Box
With easily replaceable filter media, CAPTure™ installations achieve a minimal footprint. A single 4′ x 5′ structure can treat 20-25 acres of drainage.
Backed and Trusted
the CAPTure™ mission
To provide a simple technology solution for reducing the mass of dissolved phosphorus that reaches our waterways.
PrODUCT CREATION
Challenges Leading to CAPTure™ Development
Soil Phosphorus Content
As soil phosphorus content approaches or exceeds the soil’s binding capacity, the chance of soluble phosphorus release increases.
Environmental Impacts
Lost phosphorus to surface waters can create adverse water quality conditions. Traditional conservation practices do not address dissolved phosphorus losses to the environment.
Agri-business Goals
Increased farm productivity requires innovative water management methods that balance production with sustainable systems to protect the health of aquatic ecosystems.
Phosphorus in Surface Waters
Phosphorus (P) is a critical nutrient for all forms of life. Agricultural production requires additional phosphorus inputs in the form of fertilizers. While plants may use most of the added fertilizer, some is inevitably lost to surface waters as rain carries both dissolved and particulate P in tile drainage or runoff. Phosphorus-laden drainage eventually reaches nearby streams and lakes.
While phosphorus is readily available to terrestrial plants, it is often a “limiting nutrient” in aquatic systems. When agricultural runoff enters aquatic systems, plant and algae growth has the potential to spiral to nuisance levels. If cyanobacteria (“blue-green algae”) are present as harmful algal blooms (HABs), these conditions can affect drinking water supplies and create hazardous exposures to humans, livestock, pets, and wildlife.
Mitigating phosphorus losses from the landscape requires conservation practices and operational management in agriculture. Many practices can efficiently capture sediment-attached phosphorus (particulate P) but are much less effective at addressing dissolved phosphorus, the most readily available form that causes water quality impairments.
the right choice
Why Choose CAPTure™ For Phosphorus Management
Kieser & Associates
By coupling CAPTure structures with drainage water management, large flows are attenuated and filtered within hours.
Great Lakes Protection Fund
Backing by the Great Lakes Protection Fund, an impact investor partnering with passionate people to create solutions for the Great Lakes ecosystem, with additional funding support from state agencies in MI, WI and OH.
With a replaceable filter media system, CAPTure installations achieve a minimal footprint. A single 4′ x 5′ CAPTure tank can treat 20-25 acres of drainage.
THE DATA
CAPTure™ Compared to Other Conservation Practices
This technology offers an easy, cost-effective add-on to current practices that captures dissolved phosphorus more efficiently than traditional conservation practices.
Feature
CAPTure™
Traditional
Targets Soluble P
Yes
No
Targets Particulate P
No
Yes (Only 33% Bioavailability)
Size
Small
Moderate to Large
Installation
$
$$$
Maintenance
$
$$-$$$
Failure Rate
Low
Moderate
THE DATA
CAPTure™ Compared to Other Conservation Practices
This technology offers an easy, cost-effective add-on to current practices that captures dissolved phosphorus more efficiently than traditional conservation practices.
Feature |
CAPTure |
Traditional |
| Targets Soluble P | Yes | No |
| Targets Particulate P | No | Yes (Only 33% Bioavailability) |
| Size | Small | Moderate to Large |
| Installation | $ | $$$ |
| Maintenance | $ | $$-$$$ |
| Failure Rate | Low | Moderate |
support
How the CAPTure™ System Supports Water Resources Management & Water Quality Stakeholders
Water Resources Management
Agriculture
Enhances resiliency of agricultural operations by capturing soluble P losses with the potential to recapture and reuse P.
Reduces operational risks subject to public or agency scrutiny.
Bolsters the farmer’s ‘social license to operate’ as a voluntary practice.
Farming Consultants
An agile system integrated into drain tile installations with water management structures and other conservation practices such as sediment ponds, bioreactors, and saturated buffers
Wetlands
A value-add technology for capture of wetland soluble P losses.
Water Quality
Non-Government Organizations
Supports phosphorus runoff mitigation strategies in water quality and watershed management programs
Regulatory Agencies
A solution to inform and support regulatory actions to address water quality
