Randall's Island and Effectiveness of Constructed Freshwater Wetland on Water Quality Improvement

Abstract

This study investigates a constructed wetland located on Randall's Island located in the center of the island near the water treatment facility and fields. The constructed wetland's purpose is to remove non-point and other pollutants that run-off into the wetland. It works also as a secondary filtration site for a portion of the effluent coming from the water treatment facility before the treated water passes into the East River. The study to determine the effectiveness of the Constructed Wetland showed that NTU and DO decreased as the water moved from the entrance to the wetland toward the outflow into the surrounding environment which could point to not filtering out all pollutants. More data collection is needed to form more solid conclusions about the water quality and surrounding environment health on Randall's Island and if the wetland is improving them. After more research is done to determine if pollutants are actually being removed in large enough quantities it also might be advantageous to look into changing the system to a vertical flow constructed wetland for increased success of water filtration.