Investigating the Water Quality Impacts of Floating Treatment Wetlands in a Stormwater Retention Pond and Lake: An Environmental Monitoring Approach

Abstract

Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) are a best management practice (BMP) applied in aquatic environments to improve water quality by mitigating nutrient pollution. This paper evaluates the efficacy of FTWs installed in natural environments as a tool for the removal of excess nutrients and enhancement of water quality. To this end, regular measurements of key water quality indicators as well as qualitative observations were made at two sites in Minnesota where FTWs have been installed. The results show that there were measurable changes in several water quality parameters over the study period. Statistically significant changes were observed in ortho-phosphate concentration, dissolved oxygen concentration, and pH for one of the study sites. Changes observed in other parameters were inconclusive, and further work is required to understand how FTWs may affect water quality in natural environments when deployed at low coverage rates, as well as how much of the observed changes are attributable to the FTWs and to natural changes in the environment.