What the Project Is
LG Sonic is recognized as a pioneer in ultrasonic algae control, with its headquarters in the Netherlands and offices spanning the globe. This breakthrough project is focused on treating algal blooms in lakes and large reservoirs using advanced ultrasonic technology. The system works to reconstruct aquatic environments by eliminating pollutants and hazardous chemicals. The approach is innovative and practical… a fresh take on water treatment that embraces eco-friendly methods and modern engineering.
Main Benefit
- 100+ clients using LG Sonic ultrasound
- 55+ countries served worldwide
- 10K+ units sold globally
- 12+ industries supported
Each of these figures speaks to the tangible benefits and solid track record of LG Sonic. These numbers confirm that the technology is not only innovative but also widely accepted in the market. The benefits are clear: reliable algae control, reduction in chemical use, and improved water quality, all leading to safer aquatic ecosystems.
Vision and Mission Focus
LG Sonic’s vision is straightforward – the ambition for a world where aquatic ecosystems live free from pollutants and harsh chemicals. The mission is equally clear, aimed at delivering smart solutions that fight water pollution and drastically reduce chemical usage in water treatment. For over a decade, extensive research and development have fueled this mission, ensuring that every innovation is a step towards cleaner waters. There is a clear, purposeful drive behind these efforts, one that aligns with global environmental priorities and the need for sustainable water resources.
Innovative Approach
The technology behind LG Sonic is as sophisticated as it is sustainable. Manufactured by experts, the devices integrate patented ultrasound that can be remotely controlled, offering a seamless blend of scientific innovation and operational control. Over more than 10 years, investment in research has refined this technology to a fine art, ensuring that it remains effective in controlling algae blooms without resorting to harmful chemical treatments. This is achieved by reconstructing aquatic environments and enhancing natural water quality – a modern solution tuned to the rhythm of nature… reliable and state-of-the-art.
History and Leadership Insight
The project’s history is one of continuous advancement and strategic partnerships. Established in 2011 as LG Sound and later rebranded to LG Sonic, the journey began with the collaboration of founders Yousef Yousef, Lisa Maria Brand, and Rick Kaper. Their combined expertise paved the way for the MPC-Buoy system, the first prototype of the water quality monitoring and algae control system launched in 2012. The following year, a key partnership with American Water extended operations into the United States, bolstering LG Sonic’s presence on a global stage. In 2019, the introduction of the MPC-Nanobubble technology marked another milestone by increasing dissolved oxygen in water through innovative small gas bubbles, while 2021 saw the launch of the Vertical Profiling System, measuring water quality in high resolution at varying depths.
Leadership remains at the heart of LG Sonic’s success. CEO Yousef Yousef, who founded the company in 2011 after obtaining an executive MBA, brings a visionary, data-driven perspective to water management. CTO Lisa Maria Brand, with her 14 years of experience as a microbiologist, infuses the project with deep water quality insights and a passion for sustainable smart technologies. COO Rick Kaper’s extensive oversight of production and vendor relationships highlights the commitment to operational excellence, while Director Greg Eiffert’s leadership of LG Sonic US since 2018 demonstrates focused expertise in delivering sustainable algae solutions across Northern America.
Project Impact
- Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)
- Life Below Water (SDG 14)
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9)
- Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11)
The impact of LG Sonic is significant, contributing directly to several Sustainable Development Goals. Clean water resources are crucial, and by reducing water pollution and eliminating the reliance on harsh chemicals, the project promotes healthier ecosystems and safer communities. The tailored approach not only advances water treatment technologies but also supports broader environmental sustainability and resilience against water-related challenges.
Localized Outreach and Future Prospects
LG Sonic’s reach extends across various regions, providing tailored solutions through local outreach efforts. The headquarters in The Netherlands, coupled with regional contacts in Skaneateles (NY), Dubai (UAE), and São Paulo (Brazil), ensure that expert support is never far away. These localized branches serve as both operational hubs and community centers, engaging directly with diverse markets and regional requirements. This international network reinforces confidence in the technology and underscores its adaptability to different environmental conditions.
Looking ahead, the project continues to innovate, with plans to further refine existing technologies and develop new processes ideally suited to combat emerging challenges in water quality. The emphasis remains on sustainable growth and making a measurable difference in water treatment practices. LG Sonic’s journey is marked by evolution and the persistent drive to align industrial innovation with environmental conservation… a forward-looking vision that promises cleaner, safer water around the globe.
What LG Sonic actually does
LG Sonic is a Dutch company that controls algae blooms in lakes and reservoirs without chemicals. Its main system, the MPC-Buoy, is a floating, solar-powered platform that combines continuous water quality monitoring, web-based software and ultrasound. The ultrasonic waves stop algae from rising to the surface for sunlight and reaching nutrients, so the algae sink and die off without releasing their toxins. LG Sonic’s team can adjust the patented ultrasound programs remotely as water conditions change.
The company also offers a vertical profiling system that measures water quality at different depths, plus phosphate monitoring and a digital twin of the water body. Its stated mission is to “deliver smart solutions to fight water pollution and reduce chemical usage in the water treatment industry.”
Where LG Sonic shows up
- Drinking water reservoirs: fewer taste and odour events, less load on filters and pipes, lower chemical spend
- Power generation and hydroelectric dams: lower pH and suspended solids (TSS) to stay within discharge permits
- Recreational lakes: treatment without closing the lake, safe for people and aquatic life
- Irrigation and wastewater reservoirs: no clogged drip systems, lower biochemical oxygen demand in effluent
Proof, not just claims
At a water source serving 1.3 million people, one utility reached 50% algae reduction within two months. The MPC-Buoy has held the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution label since September 2019.
Trusted by
EPMBloom control through El Niño
NIPSCOTSS compliance at power plant
CAASDValdesia reservoir, Dominican Republic
Vallecitos Water DistrictTSS, pH and DO gains
SellafieldStorage pond visibility
Why this belongs on a sustainability directory
Harmful algae blooms make drinking water unsafe and kill aquatic life. Utilities usually fight them with copper sulphate or other algaecides, and those chemicals end up in the same water. LG Sonic suppresses the bloom physically, using ultrasound, and the algae die off without releasing their toxins. This ties directly to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): reservoir water stays safer and treatment uses fewer chemicals, which supports target 6.3 on water quality and pollution. It also links to SDG 14 (Life Below Water), because keeping lakes free of toxic blooms and algaecides protects the wider aquatic ecosystem.
Frequently asked questions
Where is LG Sonic based, and who uses it?
LG Sonic was founded in 2011 and has its headquarters and R&D in Zoetermeer, the Netherlands, with offices in the US, Dubai and Brazil. Its users include water and energy utilities such as American Water, NIPSCO, CAASD and Vallecitos Water District, and it is active in more than 60 countries.
Which SDGs does LG Sonic support, and how?
SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): it controls harmful algae in drinking water and other reservoirs without chemicals. SDG 14 (Life Below Water): it protects aquatic ecosystems from toxic blooms and algaecide use.
How is LG Sonic verified as a sustainability project?
The MPC-Buoy received the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution label in September 2019, listed on the Solar Impulse Foundation’s solutions explorer. LG Sonic also publishes named utility case studies with measured results, such as 87% chlorophyll a reduction at the Valdesia reservoir.
Looking for similar water management projects?
See Water management projects, or browse all Energy projects on Keys for Tomorrow.





