Brazos Research Wetland
Project Summary
The goal of this project is to construct a wetland to study and evaluate how endocrine disrupting compounds can be reduced or removed from treated wastewater effluent. The design of the wetland is new and innovative, incorporating a unique combination of surface and subsurface treatment zones, as well as passive aeration units including cascades and turbulent stream channels. The main deliverable for the project will be technical resource document on the design and operation of treatment wetlands.
- TWDB Contract Manager:
- Erika Mancha
- Funding Recipient:
- City of Waco
- Project Administrator:
- Ashley Nystrom
- Participants:
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Geological Survey, and Baylor University
- Project Start Date:
- July 2014
- Project Completion Date:
- May 2017
- Total Project Cost:
- $2,464,200
- TWDB Share of Project Cost:
- $588,568
- Benefits:
-
Constructed wetlands have longer hydraulic and solids residence times, diverse environmental conditions, and natural attenuation that may provide a more cost-effective alternative to chemical and membrane treatment processes while also providing important environmental and social benefits. The overarching goal is to demonstrate that constructed wetlands are viable treatment components and can be used for indirect potable reuse to produce a new water source in Texas. The resource document can be used by other communities interested in exploring or pursuing water reuse.
Project Details
Participants
Funding Sponsors:
City of Waco
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
U.S. Geological Survey
Baylor University
Funding Recipient:
City of Waco
Post Office Box 2570
Waco, Texas 76702-2570
254-750-6642
Project Manager:
Ashley Nystrom
Environmental Inspector
Stormwater Program
City of Waco Water Utilities Services Department
254-750-1660
Milestones
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Announcement of Request for Proposals in Texas Register | |
| Initial Statement of Interest received by TWDB | |
| Study approved by TWDB | July 10, 2014 |
| Contract executed | December 31, 2014 |
| Kickoff Meeting | January 27, 2015 |
| Project Terminated | August 2017 |
Progress Reports
Educational Resources
- Factsheet: Brazos Research Wetland, 2015.
- Contaminants of Emerging Concern: A fact sheet providing an overview of contaminants of emerging concern that is available through the Water Research Foundation.
- Downstream: A video relating to the public the water cycle and the role of upstream discharges.
- Recycled Water, Putting the Risk into Perspective: A video addressing the safety concerns of recycling water.
- WateReuse: The WateReuse Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the beneficial and efficient use of water resources through education, sound science, and technology using reclamation, recycling, reuse and desalination.
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Research and Development: The research and development office develops and applies science and technology to support the Reclamation's mission to manage and protect water in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public.
For More Information
Texas Water Development Board
1700 N. Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78711
Erika Mancha - Project Contact
512-463-7932
Merry Klonower - Media Contact
512-463-8165