An Assessment of Constructed Wetland Treatment System Cells: Removal of Excess Nutrients and Pollutants from Municipal Wastewater in Lakeland, Florida

Wastewater treatment wetlands are proven valuable alternatives to the treatment of wastewater in a more natural environment. These wetlands can be natural or constructed, and come in a variety of types and sizes. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficiency of water treatment for nutrients and pollutants utilized by the City of Lakeland in treating their municipal wastewater by wetland treatment system cells. This study is important in order to ensure the successful use of the wetland, as well as to determine the impacts previous phosphorus mining use may have on the effectiveness of treatment. Following FDEP standard operating procedures, this study monitored various water quality parameters for three consecutive summer months. The wetland as a whole varied in the removal of nutrients. The wetland was best at decreasing concentrations of TN and TP, at eighty-three percent and fifty-four percent, respectively, when compared to other parameters. This study shows how municipal wastewater is beneficially treated by wetland treatment system cells to produce viable water resources that can be reused in order to promote sustainable uses going into the future