Martin Ecosystems

Overview

BioHaven® Floating Islands were installed into the waste water oxidation pond of Elayn Hunt Correctional Facility with the primary goal of meeting and maintaining regulatory compliance. The pond is 5.1 acres in size and approximately three feet deep. Multiple limits are continuing to be tested including BOD, COD, TSS, fecal coliform, phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite, copper, zinc, and dissolved oxygen.

BioHaven® Floating Islands function as a Floating Treatment Wetland (FTW) and are bioengineered to effectively filter pollutants and nutrients. The FTW, containing 124 square feet of surface area for every cubic foot installed, allows microbes and bacteria to break down waste and nutrients while remaining attached to the FTW’s matrix. Another smaller fraction of nutrients is taken up by the network of hanging plant roots, through the process of phytoremediation. These pathways represent a concentrated wetland effect.

Floating Islands will not replace concrete and steel; however, if you have limited financial resources, or if you have outgrown your current treatment capacity, Floating Islands can buy you more time.

Results

Elayn Hunt Correctional Facility has had Zero Non-compliance events since April 2011, one month after installation of the Islands. BOD, TSS, and Fecal Coliform measurements have been consistently well below permit limits. Additional parameters measured have also seen marked improvement. Additional key monthly averages for the last 12 months are 77% removal of COD and 32% removal of Ammonia.