Wetlands in Nature have been coined the liver and kidneys of the Earth for their robust ability to breakdown and assimilate 'waste' generated from organic debris. The field of engineering wetland systems for treatment of human derived pollution has been a growing field since the early 1980's. REDI's team is experienced in the design and engineering of constructed wetlands, Eco-Machines (tank-based wetlands), and Restorer floating wetland islands for wastewater treatment and stormwater treatment, and water feature filtration.
Constructed wetlands, Eco-Machines, and Restorers are complete wetland ecologies. Physically both plant roots and media substrates provide different habitats to allow for both aerobic and anoxic bacteria to reside in the same ecosystem which initiates the efficient breakdown of a range of pollutants. In effect, through an ecological food web process, the waste stream becomes a food resource and is ultimately transformed into clean water and other into beneficial byproducts such as cut flowers, animal fodder, and decorative fish. Wetland technologies will naturally provide Hawaii Department of Health R-3 quality reuse water without the need of external energy or chemicals and can meet R-2 and R-1 with disinfection. In addition the systems are excellent in removing nutrients such as ammonia and nitrates, which protects fragile ecosystems and groundwater supplies where disposal/water reuse occurs.
Download brochure on the Restorer
It is important to note that wetland systems are generally part of a multi-part treatment system and for wastewater, typically serve as secondary or tertiary treatment technologies.
Benefits of Wetland Technologies for Wastewater Treatment:
- Non-proprietary (constructed wetlands): Allows for capacity building and technology transfer
- Stimulates the local economy by using most if not all locally sourced materials.
- Treatment does not require external energy or chemicals to operate (Considerably lower O&M costs vs. conventional packaged treatment plants)
- Wetlands polish excess nutrients, preventing pollution downstream
- Educaitonal value and opportunities
- Provide LEED credits
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Convert Wastes to Resources. Produce valuabel byproducts such as flowers, fodder, and water ready for reuse.
Download brochure on wastewater treatment
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has acknowledged constructed wetlands as an ideal wastewater treatment system due to their affordability, passive design, natural appearance, and lack of odors. Constructed wetlands are inherently engineered to be mechanically simple, yet ecologically complex. The system is a passive, lined reactor following primary treatment in an anaerobic digester or septic tank (for smaller systems). The wetlands provide high quality secondary treatment that do not require external energy for treatment (thus little to no maintenance and low operating costs) while also being an aesthetic addition to the landscape.
In subsurface flow (SSF) wetlands all water flows below the surface and the plant roots and gravel provide substrates for microorganism attachment. The two media provide different habitats that allow for both aerobic and anoxic bacteria to reside in the same ecosystem which allows for an efficient breakdown of a range of pollutants. In doing so it converts waste into resources via the complex food web. Another significant advantage to a SSF wetland is lack of odor since the all the water flows beneath the surface of the wetland. Furthermore, the wetland treatment system can showcase native and local tropical plants that promote the local culture, regional biodiversity and can provide opportunities for commercial harvest. The wetland technology will naturally provide Hawaii Department of Health R-3 quality reuse water without the need of external energy or chemicals and can meet R-2 and R-1 with disinfection. In addition the systems are excellent in removing nutrients such as ammonia and nitrates, which protects fragile ecosystems and groundwater supplies where disposal/water reuse occurs.
Roth Ecological Design International
