Improving Water Quality of Tailwater using Constructed Wetlands

We are investigating the efficacy of using constructed wetlands to remove water quality contaminants from tailwater ultimately destined for the San Joaquin River. Constructed flow-through wetlands (CWs) have great potential to mitigate non-point source pollution from irrigated agriculture. However, no rigorous studies have scientifically evaluated the efficacy of CWs in the San Joaquin Valley with respect to the complex suite of contaminants present in tailwaters. Removal efficiency is high for suspended sediment, nitrate, pyrethroids, and pathogens. Removal of dissolved organic carbon, phosphorus and algae is variable, and at times, near zero.

Wetland Images