“Polk County Youth Wins Statewide Science Fair with Innovative Water Purification Project”

Onalaska High School sophomore, Ashley Johnson, has made Polk County proud by emerging as the winner of the Texas Statewide Science Fair held in Austin on May 13, 2025. Johnson’s innovative water purification project, which could potentially have a significant impact on Lake Livingston’s water quality, astounded the judges and participants alike.

Johnson, a 15-year-old science prodigy from the heart of Polk County, developed a low-cost, high-efficiency water filtration system designed specifically to remove harmful algal blooms from lake water. This project was inspired by the challenges faced by Lake Livingston, the second largest lake lying wholly within Texas, which has been grappling with frequent harmful algal blooms. These blooms often pose threats to the local drinking water supply and the lake’s rich diversity of aquatic life.

Johnson’s project, dubbed “BloomAway,” uses a combination of activated charcoal and a unique blend of natural coagulants to filter out the harmful algae and toxins from the water. Not only did it outperform commercial water filters during testing, but it also proved to be more cost-effective. The success of BloomAway has prompted conversations on its potential implementation in and around the 77351 ZIP code, with hopes of improving the water quality of Lake Livingston.

Enthused about her victory, Ashley said, “I’m thrilled to have won the fair, but more than that, I’m excited about the potential of BloomAway to help our community. Lake Livingston is an integral part of our lives in Polk County, and preserving its water quality is crucial.” Praises for Johnson’s remarkable achievement have poured in from the Livingston Independent School District, Polk County officials, and the local community, all echoing their pride and support for this young innovator.