In 1987, Orlando put 1,200 acres of constructed wetlands to work cleaning reclaimed water

In 1987, Orlando put 1,200 acres of constructed wetlands to work cleaning reclaimed water. Today, the system treats about 5.11 billion gallons of water each year.However, keeping this large natural filtration system working efficiently requires regular land management. As aquatic plants grow, absorb extra nitrogen and phosphorus, and eventually die and decay, a thick layer of organic muck slowly builds up on the bottom of the marsh. When this sediment becomes too thick, it can slow water flow and cause stored nutrients to return to the water. This makes periodic earthmoving work necessary to keep the system working properly.According to operational records published by the City of Orlando Water Reclamation Division, city crews carry out large renovation projects, known as demucking, to remove the built-up organic material and restore the marsh's original ability to clean the water.Clearing 200,000 cubic yards of organic sedimentOngoing research and water-flow monitoring help the city determine when specific areas of the 1,200-acre complex need maintenance. Once an area is chosen, operators separate it from the rest of the system, close the incoming water lines and completely drain ...