Fortress Mussel Control Helps Brazos River Authority Combat Zebra Mussels

Texas Water Authority Turns to Copper Ion Technology to Combat Zebra Mussels

Across the United States, invasive zebra mussels continue to threaten water infrastructure, clogging pipes, fouling intake screens, and jeopardizing the reliability of critical water systems. In the Spring 2025 newsletter from the Brazos River Authority, a new project at Stillhouse Hollow Lake highlights how utilities are innovating to combat the invasive zebra mussel.

Copper Ion Generator & Treatment

The Brazos River Authority (BRA) has deployed a Fortress Mussel Control Systems copper ion generator on the Williamson County Regional Raw Water Line, the system that transfers raw water from Stillhouse Hollow Lake to facilities serving Georgetown, Round Rock, and the Brushy Creek area.

Fortress Mussel Control Systems works by producing an ionized solution of low-level copper, which is injected near intake screens in the raw water system. The presence of copper ions at these controlled low doses prevents mussel development and attachment, reducing the risk that zebra mussels will colonize pumps, motors, or other critical components.

According to BRA Chief Operations Officer Brad Brunett, zebra mussels simply “don’t like” the copper solution. Even though the region’s infrastructure was constructed before zebra mussels became a concern, adding this treatment is both feasible and cost-effective for long-term proactive protection.

How This Impacts Local Water Systems

Zebra mussels may be small, but they reproduce rapidly and can clog and damage systems at all scales. If left unchecked, they can interfere with river gates, pipelines, pumping equipment, and other parts of water conveyance systems critical for communities’ drinking water supply.

BRA’s adoption of Fortress Mussel Control Systems copper ion technology isn’t unique. Similar methods have been considered and implemented in other regions as utilities seek low-impact, high-efficiency tools to slow mussel buildup and protect infrastructure.

Utilizing Fortress Mussel Control Systems

Brazos River Authority’s copper ion system targets zebra mussels from the intake all the way through the transmission line and downstream process. Each Fortress Mussel Control System is custom engineered to fit a particular intake and pumping scheme.

Fortress Mussel Control Technology

The ONG Fortress Mussel Control Systems:

• Use advanced ionization to create a controlled environment that discourages mussel attachment before fouling occurs.
• They are engineered to integrate with existing intake infrastructure and adjust dynamically to changes in water quality or flow.
• Protect not just screens and pumps, but the entire intake pathway, helping utilities prevent costly maintenance and operational disruptions.

Why Proactive Control Matters

Copper ion treatment is one strategy among many for combating mussels within specific zones. But utilities, whether municipal, industrial, or federal, need continuous, proactive and reliable protection of critical infrastructure. ONG's Fortress Mussel Control Systems Copper Ion Generators are exclusively engineered for exactly that purpose, giving utility operators peace of mind when it comes to water conveyance.

Invasive Mussels Demand Multi-Layered Defenses

Zebra mussels remain a widespread problem in freshwater bodies across the U.S., and utilities must be watchful in protecting infrastructure that communities rely on every day. Whether through copper-based ionization technologies like Fortress Mussel Control Systems, or integrated prevention programs, the goal remains the same:

Keep systems running, reduce downtime, and safeguard critical water sources.

Visit our Fortress Mussel Control Systems page to learn more about the technology behind proactive mussel prevention.