Water in New Jersey is being improved thanks to assistance from solar power.

Four "Solar Bees" have landed in American Water's Canoe Brook reservoir to streamline the treatment process, according to published accounts. Those bees actually are portable mixers with solar panels on top that agitate the water in a 1.5 gallon reservoir that's subject to natural and weather-related circumstances.

"The challenges we faced this summer should, for the most part, be a thing of the past now that New Jersey American Water has implemented this new technology," according to Anthony Matarazzo, senior director of water quality and environmental compliance for New Jersey American Water.

One significant danger that the company faced was algae growing in the Canoe Brook Reservoir particularly when the weather was hot and dry. New Jersey American Water got involved after the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection granted permission. New Jersey American Water developed a program to ensure the water does not remain stagnant.

"The Solar Bees constantly circulate and improve the quality the reservoir water that is then treated and delivered to customers' homes," Matarazzo said.