BIC Presents: Clear Waterways with Marc Bellora

In this episode of BIC Presents, host PJ Moynihan welcomes Marc Bellora, founder of Clear Waterways Group and member of the BIC Stage 2 Accelerator program.  A Berkshires native who grew up exploring local lakes and streams on his BMX bike, Marc shares how a childhood love of nature evolved into a mission-driven career in environmental innovation.  After earning a degree in Environmental Science and Economics from Ithaca College, Marc went on to work with Krofta Engineering, where he was introduced to dissolved air flotation (DAF) - a powerful but underutilized water treatment technology.  Years later, Marc had the idea to bring that industrial-scale solution to recreational waters.

That idea became a reality during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Marc and a former colleague built a working prototype of a mobile water clarifier - a self-propelled, autonomous device that separates contaminants like phosphorus, nitrogen, oil, and bacteria from clean lake water. This “Roomba for Lakes” is portable, easy to launch from a boat ramp, and requires no power or road access.  With support from BIC’s prototyping lab and STAT Program, Marc has significantly improved the design, increasing throughput to 200 gallons per minute and reducing weight by shifting away from steel-based components.

Throughout the conversation, Marc reflects on the challenge of deferred maintenance in public waterways, the rise of harmful algal blooms, and the urgent need for tools that municipalities and lake associations can deploy before problems escalate.  His innovation not only has the potential to keep beaches open and ecosystems safe - it also reflects a larger commitment to clean water access and climate resilience.  Clear Waterways Group is currently seeking additional pilot sites and grant funding to move into commercial manufacturing, with hopes of putting this technology in the hands of those who need it most.

Links

Berkshire Innovation Center:

 https://www.berkshireinnovationcenter.com/

Email Clear Waterways Group: [email protected]

Marc Balora (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/marc-bellora-4b120229/

Produced by Nate Christy & PJ Moynihan, BIC Studios.