CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS
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| Overview: | Constructed wetlands are defined as
a water quality best management practice (BMP) designed to improve storm
water quality. Using constructed storm water wetlands is an effective,
aesthetic method to naturally remove pollutants from storm water before
they reach critical habitats. Natural wetlands remove contaminants such as
pesticides, metals, oils, nutrients, and sediments from water through
naturally occurring biological chemical and physical mechanisms. Storm
water treatment wetlands are small constructed ecosystems designed to
enhance storm water quality that has become contaminated as a result of
urbanization and development. By temporarily storing storm water runoff in
shallow pools, constructed storm water wetlands create favorable growing
conditions for emergent and riparian wetland plants. Therefore, the system
is able to function similarly to natural wetlands to treat storm water
runoff through uptake, retention, and settling. The constructed wetlands
for storm water management provide significant pollutant removal by
sedimentation, adsorption, biodegradation, filtration and bioaccumulation,
while supplying wildlife habitat and aesthetic appeal. The use of
constructed storm water technology is currently being used by the Navy and
the Air National Guard.
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| Compliance Benefit: | Benefits of constructed
wetlands include compliance with federal state or local regulations
regarding storm water runoff and non-point source (NPS) pollution. Rules
promulgated for the 1987 Amendments to the Clean Water Act
regarding storm water discharges are found in Title 40 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) Parts 122-124. These rules establish an application
process for obtaining NPDES storm water discharge permits and categorizes
storm water discharges as either "Phase I" or "Phase II." Phase I storm
water discharges are those having the greatest potential to contaminate
runoff and include industrial sectors such as manufacturing,
transportation, landfills, certain wastewater treatment facilities,
hazardous waste treatment/storage/disposal areas, large municipal separate
storm sewer systems (MS4s), and large construction sites (over 5 acres).
Phase II storm water discharges are those not addressed under Phase I of
the program and include runoff from golf courses, housing areas, small
construction sites (between 1 and 5 acres), large parking areas, gas
stations, and MS4s serving populations less than 100,000. Under the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) storm water regulations and
general permits applying to Phase I discharges, military installations
have several industrial categories/processes that may require permitting
including aircraft, plating, transportation, and solid/liquid waste stream
management systems and activities. EPA published its final rule for Phase
II storm water discharges in Vol-64, No. 235 of the Federal Register on 8
December 1999. Construction of storm water wetlands can help reduce
compliance issues from non-point source pollution to water supplies.
The Compliance Benefits listed here are only meant to be used as general guidelines and are not meant to be strictly interpreted. Actual Compliance Benefits will vary depending on the factors involved, e.g. the amount of workload involved. |
| Materials Compatibility: | No material compatibility issues were determined; however, wetlands cannot be used to remove all types of contaminants. |
| Safety and Health: | Improved worker safety and
health through potentially decreased contact with containerized hazardous
wastes. Consult your local industrial health specialist and your
local health and safety personnel prior to implementing this
technology.
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| Benefits: | The following benefits are possible
with this system:
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| Disadvantages: | The following potential
disadvantages exist with this system:
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| Economic Analysis: | Wetlands have significantly
lower total costs and some times lower capital costs than conventional
treatment systems. They have low operation and maintenance costs, an
ability to tolerate fluctuations in flow and pollutant concentrations,
provide flood protection, facilitate water reuse and recycling, create
habitats for organisms and wildlife, enhance aesthetics of open spaces,
and create recreational and education opportunities. These benefits are
difficult to quantify economically. The cost of a constructed storm water
wetland is approximately $300,000; however, this cost can vary
significantly depending upon volume and flow rate
requirements. |
| Approving Authority: | Approval is controlled locally
and should be implemented only after engineering approval has been
granted. Major claimant approval is not required. Approval should be
coordinated with local NPDES implementing agencies.
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| NSN/MSDS: |
*There are multiple MSDSx for most
NSNs. |
| Points of Contact: | Navy: Barbara Sugiyama ESC 411 NFESC Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center 1100 23rd Avenue Port Hueneme, CA 93043 Phone: (805) 982-1668 FAX: (805) 982-4304 DSN: 551-1668 sugiyamabm@nfesc.navy.mil Air Force: |
| Vendors: | Not
applicable. |
| Sources: | “Wetlands,” PRO-ACT Fact
Sheet, May 1999 “Use of Constructed Wetlands for Stormwater Runoff,” Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University, found at http://www.dnr.cornell.edu/ext/wetlands “Constructed Wetlands for Urban Stormwater Management, Mobile, Alabama,” Donald Surrency, US Department of Agriculture, found at http://www.ga.nrcs.usda.gov/ga/pmc/technical/alwetlands.htm “Constructed Wetlands – A Stormwater Solution That Works,” Region 4, US Environmental Protection Agency, found at http://www.epa.gov/region4/water/wetlands/education/localgovt_1.html “Guiding Principles for Constructed Treatment Wetlands: Providing for Water Quality and Wildlife Habitat,” Interagency Workgroup on Constructed Wetlands (EPA, USDA, USFWS, NMFS, USBR, USACE), EPA 843-B-00-003, October 2000 |
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