ARTICLE

Canadian Research Centre Focuses on Constructed Wetland Technology

By Brent Wootton, Ph.D.,
Manager
Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment
School of Environmental & Natural Resource Sciences
Fleming College
Frost Campus
200 Albert St., PO Box 8000
Lindsay, ON, K9V 5E6
Canada
Phone: 705-324-9144 x3226











URL: www.flemingcollege.om/cawt

Short CV of Brent Wootton

The Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment (CAWT) is a unique research facility at the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, Fleming College, in Lindsay, Ontario, Canada. The Centre conducts research in five key areas:

1. The performance of constructed wetlands in cold climates with the objective of developing systems for small or isolated communities and specific industrial applications;
2. The development of effective constructed wetland systems for water treatment and reuse for the Canadian aquaculture industry;
3. The design of low-cost/minimal maintenance natural water treatment solutions for developing countries;
4. The ability of innovative wetland treatment system designs to remove problematic environmental contaminants such as cyanide, heavy metals, pathogenic bacteria, organic chemical contaminants, and excess nutrients;
5. The development of on-site wetland treatment systems for individual residences.

Research is primarily focused on wetland designs suited specifically to the cold Canadian climate, however, past projects (as well as current research projects) have taken place in developing nations.

Funded by CAN$ 1.34-million in infrastructure grants from federal and provincial government sources, the Centre will allow researchers to expand the knowledge of constructed wetland applications in cold climates and in the treatment of emerging contaminants.

The Centre was built as part of the new CAN$ 17 million Environmental Technology wing at the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences. Construction took place from 2003 to 2004 and the facility became fully operational during the 2004-2005 academic year.

Example projects underway include:

1) Investigating the use of constructed wetland technology in Canada's Arctic regions. This research is possible through a CAN$ 700,000 grant from the Canadian Government through International Polar Year funding.

Constructed wetland systems for wastewater treatment are an example of a sustainable, environmentally progressive technology that is in its infancy in Polar regions. This project will develop new engineering and technology solutions to assist Northern residents to adapt to changing settlement patterns and the associated wastewater treatment health issues that arise.

Several pilot-scale constructed wetland systems will be developed at the CAWT at Fleming College. The research activities at the centre will focus on arriving at a prototype design specific to Arctic needs. Pilot scale systems to test these designs will then be built in communities in the Canadian Arctic while involving communities, scientists, local groups and individuals. These pilot systems will be monitored locally and publicized, encouraging community stewardship of water resources and further initiatives.

2) A demonstration project for the City of Toronto and the Toronto Region Conservation Authority's Archetype Model House contest. This archetypal model home will feature an engineered wetland that will treat the wastewater to tertiary standards. For more information see [1].

3) A collaborative research project examining nutrient removal, pathogen reduction, and pharmaceutical product attenuation in aquaculture effluent through use of constructed wetlands.

The research capacity at the Centre for Alternative Wastewater Treatment is based on three key elements: (1) Outdoor Research Test Cells and Ponds; (2) Indoor Greenhouse Research Facility; (3) Advanced Analytical Laboratories. The Centre actively seeks collaborative partnerships with governments, academic institutions, industry, and non-governmental agencies. Through partnerships with neighbouring universities, the CAWT can host masters and doctoral student research projects. There are currently several funded opportunities for graduate students to do research on constructed wetland technology at the Centre. The CAWT also acts as a placement facility for students and researchers from other jurisdictions requiring research facilities. For more information please contact:

[2] http://www.flemingcollege.com/cawt/pages/casestudies/case_mex.html

Short CV of Brent Wootton:
Brent Wootton has a Master's degree in the ecology and management of wetlands from the University of Waterloo and a Ph.D. in aquatic ecology from Trent University. He teaches part time in the Environmental Technology Program at Fleming College and in the Environmental and Resource Studies Program at Trent University. He has worked extensively with government, industry, as well as with community groups on environmental projects. His research interests include the ecology of constructed wetlands as well as the application of alternative technologies in rural settings and in small communities. He is currently Manager for the CAWT and is the lead contact for all applied research projects at the CAWT. For more information please contact him via email or phone.