Leander Strong
The environment in and around Leander, Texas is diverse in all its beauty. Natural flowing water has always been a part of Leander's history. The first Texans to call Leander home were a company of Texas Rangers who had come to establish a fort along Brushy Creek. Later the citizens named the town after Leander "Catfish" Brown a railroad official and former mayor of Austin, responsible for the completion of the rail line. Brushy Creek may not be famous for Catfish, but if you walk along the greenbelts you are sure to see all kinds of fish and animal life.
Leander recently suffered an unfortunate environmental event that saw the contamination of a small portion of its greenbelts and residential storm drains. The contamination is an organic hydrocarbon that can be toxic to fish and wildlife when in waterways. In order to remediate the contamination, Micro-Bac International will introduce safe, natural, non-pathogenic bacteria that will degrade the contaminant. In order to increase transparency and understanding, Micro-Bac has built this website to explain the process.
Micro-Bac International and CG Environmental will be carrying out environmental remediation work in some of the highlighted areas. Remediation will occur from June 27th to June 30th, 2022, from 9:00 am CST - 6:00 pm CST.
Please be aware that we are being cautious to limit further environmental impact while also ensuring remediation, degradation, and removal of the contamination from the local environment. We will be applying a blend of bacteria that is Natural, non-pathogenic, and safe for use around children and pets. Think of it as "greek yogurt extreme edition".
We will not be providing regular updates, but you can check with your local HOA for additional information.
If you have any additional questions feel free to submit them using the email below.
FAQ
Are these bacteria safe?
The bacteria that will be used in the Leander area are safe, non-pathogenic, naturally occurring bacteria. They have been used all over the world and are found in native Texan ecosystems. Look below for information on the use of this bacteria in the Amazon Rainforest.
Most bacteria just want to eat whatever food they can find and multiply.
Why is the Greenbelt closed?
We want to decrease the risk of accidents and injury. Closing the greenbelt during treatment times ensures the remediation team can do their job in a timely manner and all residents are safe.
Treatment times will be 9 am- 6 pm CST June 27th-30th
Can we still fish?
Some of the local retention ponds that are home to wildlife have been contaminated by organic hydrocarbons. While the bacteria treatments are safe, it will take time for the bacteria to fully remediate the remaining contamination.
During this time, we would ask everyone to avoid swimming, fishing, and underwater basket weaving in the impacted areas.
How long will treatments occur?
Treatments are scheduled for June 27th-June 30th. During this time you can expect to see CG "Cleaning Guys" Environmental & Micro-Bac International Inc, vehicles, and personnel in the affected areas.
Following that 4-day treatment window, follow-up sampling will occur to ensure proper remediation goals have been met.
What is Directed Natural Selection?
The Youtube Channel Veritasium has a great video that explains how Directed Natural Selection can improve natural bacteria's ability to do certain things. This is why Micro-Bac's Bacteria products contain natural bacteria, but work in a timely manner on such complex hydrocarbons.
Watch the Veritasium Video on Natural Selection of Bacteria!
Why do bacteria smell?
Bacteria utilize different metabolic pathways and each pathway releases different end products. These end products can be released into the air and are detected by humans by smell.
An example of a common gas by-product released from microorganisms would be the CO2 made by yeast in the bread-making process. This Gas creates the air pockets within the bread!
Where can I learn more about Bioremediation?
There are many great resources for learning about bioremediation. Here is a link to a virtual talk hosted by American Society for Microbiology.
Click here to learn about Biodegradation and Bioremediation of Organic Compounds
How are Microbes helping save the world?
From oil spills to plant diversity, bacteria and microbes play a huge role in our plant's ecosystems.
Where has this been done before?
Micro-Bac International has over 40 years of experience in using bacteria around the world. in the early 2000's we managed a bioremediation project deep in the rainforest of Ecuador.