Constructed Treatment Wetlands (CTWs) are currently being used world-wide for efficient and cost-effective treatment of a variety of wastewater effluents. Present applications include treatment of municipal and industrial wastewaters, urban stormwater, acid mine drainage (AMD), landfill leachate and agricultural runoff. Although various forms of the technology have been around for decades, it was not until the early 1980s that constructed treatment wetlands were "discovered" in the United States. Since that time, however, the technology has emerged as a viable alternative treatment to conventional treatment techniques. This is especially true in the arenas of municipal wastewater treatment and AMD mitigation where it is estimated that over 600 systems are presently in operation throughout the United States.
Roux Associates has been actively involved in developing and applying CTW technology since 1993. Our long-term and continuing commitment to the technology has resulted in the award of a U.S. Patent for an enhanced sub-surface flow CTW design in 1999. We have been recognized both nationally and internationally as a leader in successfully applying the technology to treat municipal and industrial wastewaters; landfill leachate; petrochemical wastes containing BTEX and MTBE constituents; heavy metals and organic contaminants such as PAHs and PCBs in process wastewater; and a variety of contaminants in stormwater runoff. Our patented CTW subsurface flow technology has reduced the size of a typical CTW by 50% while simultaneously enhancing year round and predictable performance. Similarly, our use of carefully selected media, treatment cells sequencing and passive hydraulic controls have resulted in state-of-the-science 4th generation designs that are cost-effective, reliable and sustainable even under extreme environmental conditions.
Finally, our work in the phytotechnology arena has resulted in the innovative blending of both CTW and Phyto technologies to meet some of our client’s most challenging applications. Examples include combined treatment and consumptive systems to reduce and/or eliminate off-site discharges, systems designed to initially treat the wastewater with the cleansed effluent used to recharge ground water, and sustainable systems developed to enhance water re-use opportunities. Roux has developed and installed systems for clients such as ExxonMobil, Alcoa, BP and BASF Corporation. Several representative projects can be viewed at the links provided to the right.
Please contact us for more information about our experiences and capabilities in applying these truly innovative technologies for meeting your treatment needs.