BRUSHY CREEK, Texas — Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect that zebra mussels have not been eradicated from Lake Georgetown.
After two years, a type of invasive species is no longer harming the Brushy Creek community.
The Brushy Creek Municipality District (BCMUD) recently shared that no zebra mussels were detected in their water facilities.
This is thanks to a copper ion generation system, which releases copper into the water without a strong likelihood of polluting it. The system works to eradicate the zebra mussels' growth, thus getting rid of them altogether.
Previously, the district tested various other methods to eliminate the mollusks, but none proved to be as effective as the copper ion generation system.
"BCMUD now has two years of data showing that we do not have zebra mussels in our system," facilities manager Bill Carr said. "Before that, we were implementing the sodium permanganate system, [and] when we'd drain our pond to clean it, it was completely infested with zebra mussels."
Carr said the average cost of the copper system is $783,000, which still saves more money in the long run. With the old system, the BCMUD purchased roughly $4,500 worth of chemicals every two months. Most recently, they spent the same amount in nearly a year and a half.
Not only that, but Carr said the system is also better for the environment, as it's less likely to cause contamination.
As the BCMUD sees success, Austin Water also wants to implement these systems moving ahead.
Why are zebra mussels considered a threat?
As an invasive species, zebra mussels have been found in Texas waters for the past 15 years, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
These mollusks are typically spread by boat, and they can infiltrate drinking systems, impacting the waters' taste and smell.
They can also clog pipes, get rid of necessary algae, and cause damage to people swimming in a lake or other bodies of water.