Field-Scale Evaluation of a Floating Media Bed Reactor for Nutrient Treatment in a Wet Detention Pond

Abstract

Nutrient loading to surface waters has been a growing issue leading to water body impairment throughout the United States. Current stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs), such as wet detention ponds, frequently do not reduce nutrient loadings to meet total maximum daily load regulations. This paper presents the implementation of a floating media bed reactor (FMBR) as a form of inter-event stormwater treatment to increase the efficiency in a wet detention pond for reduction of total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) loading to the Lower St. Johns River (LSJR) in Florida. The FMBR operates on a continuous cycle utilizing green technology solar power and an engineered mixture of sorption media made of natural and recyclable materials. Significant reductions in TP and TN were measured across the FMBR. Pond efficiency improved for TP and TN removal following FMBR implementation.. Headloss remained less than two cm throughout the study.