Floating Treatment Wetlands (FTWs) are an emerging innovation in green technology that have demonstrated significant potential for wastewater and stormwater management.
Martin Ecosystems’ Floating Treatment Wetlands are manufactured using 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate, commonly referred to as PET plastic, the same plastic used to make drinking bottles. The PET fibers are bonded together forming a non-toxic, non woven fibrous matrix, creating the advantage of having an open structure with a vast surface area for biological treatment to occur.
“The use of recycled plastic prevents thousands of water bottles from ending up in landfills each year.”
FTWs are designed to float on the surface, providing a medium for emergent wetland plants to grow hydroponically – plants grow above the water with root systems submerged beneath the water. It is designed with years of scientific research combined with proven biological processes.
Floating Treatment Wetlands provide value for money and benefits above those of traditional water treatment systems. The low cost and modular design allows for customization of wastewater treatment needs in both new and old systems. FTWs extend the life of existing assets by retrofitting Floating Treatment Wetlands into current ponds.
America’s wastewater infrastructure recently received a grade of “D” according to the 2013 infrastructure report card provided by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). With an estimated cost of $298 billion over the next twenty years to get it back into working condition, finding cost effective water treatment systems is imperative.
“In the late 1980s and 1990s, FTWs were applied to the treatment of acid mine drainage in Canada with the results published in scientific literature,” said Chris Tanner, principal scientist of aquatic pollution management at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (Hamilton, New Zealand). “But over the last 10 years, we have seen a rapid expansion in the development of various experimental and commercial versions, including studies of their treatment potential.”
Floating Treatment Wetlands are a proven cost-effective alternative to traditional wastewater treatment systems. They are designed to meet the water treatment needs of communities and businesses, while also delivering a solution that provides value for money spent.
Benefits of Floating Treatment Wetlands:
- Cost Savings
- Proven Performance
- Minimal Environmental Impact
- Flexibility
- Zero Land Use
- Tolerate Fluctuating Water Levels
Photography provided by Water Clean Technologies.
