Stantec investigated, developed, and implemented an engineering solution to two failed engineered wetlands designed by others
The Lanxess Corporation found that its two engineered wetlands designed to treat metal-impacted industrial stormwater in El Dorado, Arkansas were failing—but they did not know why. As they were under a Consent Administrative Order from the State, the failing wetlands put their regulatory compliance in jeopardy.
Lanxess reached out to Stantec to investigate and develop a solution. We completed a design review and field inspection of the systems to determine the failure was due to an underlying geotextile fabric installed between the compost treatment media and the effluent gravel drainage layer. In addition, we completed head loss calculations to determine the original horizontal flow design would result in short circuiting and decreased hydraulic retention time. To resolve these performance and operation issues, we prepared a rehabilitation design to convert both wetlands into downflow filters with a continuous underlying gravel drainage layer and elimination of all geotextile layers.
We successfully rehabilitated the systems, which have been functioning as designed and meeting surface water discharge criteria. The redesigned wetlands not only help Lanxess remain in regulatory compliance, but also prevent heavy metals contamination from discharging into waterways.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- Lanxess Corporation
- Awards
- Arkansas Environmental Federation, Diamond Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership, 2020
- American Chemistry Council, Waste Minimization, Reuse, and Recycling Award, 2020
Amanda Ludlow, Principal
I use nature to seek out sustainable solutions to environmental problems.
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