1. Floating Treatment Wetlands
Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) or islands are artificial platforms filled with aquatic plants which sit on the pond’s surface. The plant roots spread through the floating islands and down into the water creating dense columns of roots with lots of surface area. FTWs mimic natural wetlands. They improve water quality by assimilating and removing excess phosphorus that fuel cyanobacteria growth while providing a valuable ecological habitat for a variety of beneficial species. The plants are harvested after 1-3 years, permanently removing phosphorus from the pond. New plants are then added to the platforms and the process begins again.
On May 7, 2024 the Town of Barnstable, with assistance from Friends of Long Pond volunteers, installed eleven 6.5' X 7' FTWs at the northern end of the pond as a pilot study to determine the extent of phosphorus removal of FTWs. Phosphorus removal effectiveness is known to vary from 0.1 kg to 1.8 kg per 100 sq.ft. of FTW.
Ten of the wetlands were planted with Swamp Milkweed, Green Bulrush, New York Ironweed, Sweet Flag, Pickerelweed, Lurid Sedge, and Soft Rush. One of the FTWs is not planted and will serve as a control for the pilot study. Before the wetland were deployed, initial weights and samples of the plants, soil and matrix were collected to establish a study baseline. Over the next two years, the plants will be monitored biweekly during the growing season to assess growth, mortality, and herbivore fouling. Samples of plant shoots and roots will be collected in the fall of 2024, spring of 2025 and fall of 2025 to track phosphorus content. This will allow us to assess the success of the wetlands in removing phosphorus from the pond. A report will be prepared discussing findings.
2. Sewers
The Town of Barnstable has begun to implement it’s 30-year comprehensive wastewater management plan by installing sewers, beginning at the eastern end of the town. Our neighborhood is projected to be sewered in 20-30 years. Thus, this is a long-term solution.
3. Stormwater Improvements
In 2020, Friends of Long Pond brought to the Town's attention five storm drains which were funneling storm water runoff from the roads through underground pipes into Long Pond. The Town allocated $300,000 to replace these problematic drains, and the work was completed in the spring of 2021.
Floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) or islands are artificial platforms filled with aquatic plants which sit on the pond’s surface. The plant roots spread through the floating islands and down into the water creating dense columns of roots with lots of surface area. FTWs mimic natural wetlands. They improve water quality by assimilating and removing excess phosphorus that fuel cyanobacteria growth while providing a valuable ecological habitat for a variety of beneficial species. The plants are harvested after 1-3 years, permanently removing phosphorus from the pond. New plants are then added to the platforms and the process begins again.
On May 7, 2024 the Town of Barnstable, with assistance from Friends of Long Pond volunteers, installed eleven 6.5' X 7' FTWs at the northern end of the pond as a pilot study to determine the extent of phosphorus removal of FTWs. Phosphorus removal effectiveness is known to vary from 0.1 kg to 1.8 kg per 100 sq.ft. of FTW.
Ten of the wetlands were planted with Swamp Milkweed, Green Bulrush, New York Ironweed, Sweet Flag, Pickerelweed, Lurid Sedge, and Soft Rush. One of the FTWs is not planted and will serve as a control for the pilot study. Before the wetland were deployed, initial weights and samples of the plants, soil and matrix were collected to establish a study baseline. Over the next two years, the plants will be monitored biweekly during the growing season to assess growth, mortality, and herbivore fouling. Samples of plant shoots and roots will be collected in the fall of 2024, spring of 2025 and fall of 2025 to track phosphorus content. This will allow us to assess the success of the wetlands in removing phosphorus from the pond. A report will be prepared discussing findings.
2. Sewers
The Town of Barnstable has begun to implement it’s 30-year comprehensive wastewater management plan by installing sewers, beginning at the eastern end of the town. Our neighborhood is projected to be sewered in 20-30 years. Thus, this is a long-term solution.
3. Stormwater Improvements
In 2020, Friends of Long Pond brought to the Town's attention five storm drains which were funneling storm water runoff from the roads through underground pipes into Long Pond. The Town allocated $300,000 to replace these problematic drains, and the work was completed in the spring of 2021.
|
|
|