Sewanee Wetland Research Station
Taking the Waste out of Wastewater
This project emerged from a collaboration between Sewanee, and the University of Georgia. We have piloted an innovative wastewater treatment system - which involved us constructing a wetland that treats the waste water for a small, rural community.
This wetland was built in cooperation with the Sewanee Utility District of Franklin and Marion Counties; monitoring will help us determine whether this constitutes a cost-effective wastewater treatment and storage solution for other communities.
This wetland was built in cooperation with the Sewanee Utility District of Franklin and Marion Counties; monitoring will help us determine whether this constitutes a cost-effective wastewater treatment and storage solution for other communities.
The primary goal of this wetland project is to determine whether constructed wetlands can cost-effectively remove pollutants (particularly pharmaceuticals) and endocrine disruptors (chemicals that interfere with hormone systems) from municipal wastewater. The second major goal of this project is to help community members understand how this treatment methodology works through a comprehensive public outreach and education campaign
My lab directs this wetland research station. My students serve as researcher leads in the collection, testing, analysis, and interpretation of the wetland's water. We run all sorts of tests of this water in our lab, to ensure that the local waste water is being treated effectively and efficiently.
This project has proven successful thus far! Our constructed wetlands treat Sewanee's wastewater in an environmentally friendly, and cost effective way. Additionally, through our outreach in the local community, we have increased knowledge and awareness surrounding water issues. We hope to serve as consultants to other communities which hope to implement similar wastewater treatment .systems.
My lab directs this wetland research station. My students serve as researcher leads in the collection, testing, analysis, and interpretation of the wetland's water. We run all sorts of tests of this water in our lab, to ensure that the local waste water is being treated effectively and efficiently.
This project has proven successful thus far! Our constructed wetlands treat Sewanee's wastewater in an environmentally friendly, and cost effective way. Additionally, through our outreach in the local community, we have increased knowledge and awareness surrounding water issues. We hope to serve as consultants to other communities which hope to implement similar wastewater treatment .systems.
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Working in the wetlands with Dr. McGrath gave me real world perspective on how human waste is managed, and the underlying impacts on water quality that often go undiscussed. The experience also gave me credibility in applying for the job I currently have as a Watershed Impact Analyst for a small septic tank company that focuses on nutrient break-down in their system to limit the impacts of human waste in rural landscapes. |
