According to the company, constructed wetlands – whether used as a stand-alone system or in combination with land application or other treatment alternatives – can assist CAFOs in meeting the zero discharge requirement. Using plants and a variety of filter media, the system provides a natural approach to reducing or eliminating nutrients and other chemicals from manure and wastes. The system can even be fine-tuned to provide effluent with nutrient loads that match the needs of specific crops.

To date, BLA's water resources team, led by Mark Harrison, has designed more than 80 constructed wetland systems for the treatment of animal waste, site and municipal sewage, and combined sewer overflows (CSOs).

“Constructed wetlands offer a variety of benefits,” says Harrison. “Because nature does the work, it reduces the energy used, be that energy needed to transport manure or run a mechanical treatment system, not to mention cutting the cost of additional chemicals to treat waste. In some instances, we’ve even designed wetlands to provide habitat for wildlife or walking trails. It’s just an all-around great solution.”

To learn more about BLA, visit www.blainc.com.