Plymouth firm Regaro, Inc. pitches BioHealth Pod, says it reduces muck and manages nutrients in ponds and lakes
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Summary
Regaro representatives Roy Coyle and Rich Baum told the House Committee on Natural Resource Tourism their patented BioHealth Pod hosts beneficial bacteria to reduce nutrient loads and organic muck; presenters cited installations in 32 states, a unit price of about $5,000 for a half-acre pond and routine cartridge replacement every eight weeks.
Roy Coyle and Rich Baum of Regaro, Incorporated (Plymouth, Michigan) presented the company’s BioHealth Pod system to the House Committee on Natural Resource Tourism, describing it as a patented approach that "hosts, grows and distributes beneficial bacteria 24/7" in ponds and lakes to reduce nutrient loads and organic muck.
Coyle and Baum said the company has installations in roughly 32 states and about 700 units in operation. They described the technology as a floating hub with replaceable bio cartridges and distributed "nano pods" that together nurture native bacteria to consume excess nutrients. The presenters claimed the system can reduce organic matter on the bottom of lakes and ponds "by as much as 6 inches a year" and said the bacteria blend is approved in all 50 states; in Michigan they said they comply with EGLE notification requirements under Rule 97.
Committee members questioned permitting, scale, maintenance and cost. Key details the presenters gave during questioning:
- Cost and maintenance: a single unit for about a half-acre pond can cost approximately $5,000 upfront with about $650 per year for consumables and maintenance; larger deployments lower per-unit cost through volume purchasing.
- Maintenance cycle: presenters said bio cartridges are replaced roughly every eight weeks during the warm season in Michigan; nano pods were said to require replacement after roughly 4–5 years and systems are intended to remain in place until the site has "recovered."
- Permitting and compliance: presenters said most states do not regulate class‑1 organisms for surface-water application; in Michigan they said Regaro submits notices under Rule 97 and consults with EGLE and the DNR when appropriate. They described mixed experiences with other states' agencies (for example, a lengthy review process in Florida before an informal confirmation that the organism falls outside a formal permitting category).
- Scale and applications: presenters described use cases from backyard ponds, HOAs, golf courses and campgrounds to hatchery brood ponds (Idaho Fish and Game) and large lakes implemented via phased frontage programs (an example cited: a 1,600-acre Pine Lake project executed in phases to lower homeowner cost and increase coverage over time).
Presenters emphasized their product as an alternative to repeated chemical treatments and an option that can be less costly than dredging for some associations. They characterized the approach as "natural" and self‑regulating, saying bacterial production falls as nutrient levels decline. Committee members asked about limits, potential ecological risks and measurable outcomes; presenters provided empirical case examples and anecdotal homeowner testimonials but did not provide third‑party peer-reviewed study citations in the hearing.
The committee thanked the presenters; no committee action on policy or procurement followed during this meeting.
