Weedoo clearing the way: Why more municipalities are turning to mechanical harvesting for waterway health
Public works departments are under growing pressure to meet environmental regulations, manage costs and maintain community trust. Nowhere is that balancing act more visible than in aquatic maintenance.
From stormwater canals to retention ponds, municipalities face persistent challenges: invasive weeds, organic buildup and nutrient overload. These problems threaten water quality, property values and public health. For decades, the go-to solution was spraying herbicides like glyphosate — but that approach is losing ground.
More public works teams are choosing mechanical harvesting — trading chemicals for cleaner, sustainable tools that physically remove weeds, muck and debris. The results speak for themselves.
The growing trend that’s changing waterways
Freshwater systems with little flow are especially prone to overgrowth. Fertilizer runoff, leaking septic systems and urban development all fuel excess plant growth. When those plants die, they sink and decay, creating layers of muck that smother ecosystems.
Spraying herbicides like glyphosate may seem like a quick fix, but it doesn’t eliminate biomass or nutrients. Often, it worsens the cycle — leading to more growth, more chemicals, and more public concern.
Mechanical harvesting breaks the cycle. It removes vegetation, algae, and muck at the source — lowering nutrient loads, restoring flow and reducing the need for repeat treatments. It’s a proactive solution that benefits both waterways and municipal budgets.
Results that speak for themselves
Faced with rising costs and polluted canals, many municipalities are turning to mechanical removal.
The City of Lauderdale Lakes cut its $250K herbicide budget by 50% within a year of operating their Weedoo Workboat. By year three — now armed with two Weedoos — the city had eliminated spraying altogether and saved $650K with an investment under $200K in mechanical harvesting.
In Brevard County, officials launched an in-house harvesting program with a Weedoo. In just two years, they removed more than 17 million pounds of aquatic debris — compared to just 2.2 million in previous years. Glyphosate use dropped to nearly zero.
The power behind cleaner waterways
Mechanical harvesting isn’t new, but the technology has come a long way. Weedoo’s compact, rugged workboats — proudly made in the USA — are purpose-built to tackle invasive plants, sediment and floating debris.
Quick-change attachments let a single operator mow, skim, dredge or pump — reducing labor needs and maximizing productivity.
Smarter tools, greater impact:
• Initial Investment vs. Long-Term Savings
• Easy to Operate and Train
• Safe Near Schools, Parks & Homes
• Build Public Trust Through Visible Action
The future is mechanical
As regulations tighten and expectations rise, cities need real solutions. Mechanical harvesting isn’t just a shift in strategy — it’s a shift in mindset.
By removing the root of the problem, municipalities can restore water quality, reduce costs and protect public health. The future of aquatic maintenance is here — and it’s mechanical.
For More Information:
Weedoo Greenboat, Inc.
Manufactured in West Palm Beach, Fla.
(561) 204-5765, weedooboats.com
No1: Surf, Turf and In Between. The AmphiKing is a multifunctional amphibious boat that works on land, water and swampy areas. Robust, powerfu, and flexible — perfect for water maintenance, construction, and disaster control. No2: Clean it. Then clear it. Weedoo’s Portable Conveyor System makes aquatic debris removal fast and easy. Perfect for shorelines, shallow waters, docks and floating barges. 
No3: Light & Versatile. Large & Powerful. The Weedoo Harvester TC-6520 is a mowing-collection workboat designed to cut, collect and unload aquatic plants, debris and floating waste — all in one efficient, high-performance package.
