Use of Potassium Permanganate for Control of Problem Algae

This study evaluated the use of potassium permanganate in water treatment for the control of problem‐causing algae by conducting comparative tests with copper sulfate. Accordingly, data is presented on the comparative toxicity of potassium permanganate and copper sulfate to eight species of problem algae. Seven of the algae used were known as filter‐clogging or taste‐ and odor‐producing species. Despite the great variations in susceptibility to copper sulfate, ranging from three bloom‐producing blue‐green species killed with 0.1 ppm copper sulfate to two filter‐clogging species not killed by 8.0 ppm, it was found that treatment with 1 to 5 ppm of potassium permanganate was sufficient to kill seven of the eight algal species.