Stormwater wetlands are engineered ecosystems designed to remove pollutants from rainfall runoff. The discharge of "cleaner" stormwater helps protect the quality of the receiving body of water. The wetland removes pollutants by temporarily storing stormwater in shallow pools that create ideal growing conditions for wetland plants. The plants and associated microbiology act to filter sediments, uptake nutrients, and biodegrade carbonaceous materials. Stormwater Treatment wetlands can be applied to many situations: including commercial and residential developments, agricultural areas, and even golf courses--anywhere that stormwater quality issues are of concern. The system pictured above was designed to treat stormwater runoff from approximately 2 acres of the University golf course. Design criteria as taken in part from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Stormwater Manual.

Graphics to the left show a Stormwater Wetland located on the University of South Alabama's golf course. (This is a demonstration project in cooperation with A.D.E.M. and the Gulf of Mexico Program.) The second image represents an wetland overview.

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