Design, Construction, and Performance of an Innovative, Full-scale Constructed Treatment Wetland to Effectively Treat Suspended Constituents in Stormwater at a Turkey Processing Facility

Carl E. Tammi, PWS, ENSR, 2 Technology Park Drive, Westford, MA, 01886,Tel: 978-589-3065, Fax: 508-888-3900, Email: ctammi@ensr.aecom.com
Michael Richtig, Cargill Meat Solutions, 2901 North Mead Road, Wichita, KS, Email:  Mike_Richtig@cargill.com
Darryl Engelhardt, Cargill Meat Solutions, 1001 East Smith Street, California, MO, Email:  Darryl_Engelhardt@cargill.com
Jake Sanantonio, PE, ENSR, 2 Technology Park Drive, Westford, MA 01886, Tel: 978-589-3000, Fax: 978-589-3100, Email: JSanantonio@ensr.aecom.com
Matt Kennedy, PE, ENSR, 2 Technology Park Drive, Westford, MA 01886, Tel: 978-589-3000, Fax: 978-589-3100, Email: MKennedy@ensr.aecom.com
Anthony Colella QEP, ENSR, 2 Technology Park Drive, Westford, MA, 01886, Tel: 978-589-3000, Fax: 978-589-3100, Email: TColella@ensr.aecom.com  

ENSR developed a constructed treatment wetland concept on behalf of Cargill Meat Solutions as an alternative and sustainable way to effectively treat suspended constituents (TSS, BOD, FC) in stormwater at a turkey processing facility.  Conventional approaches to management and NPDES compliance included chlorination, however a very low residual chlorine concentration standard was difficult to meet; further, continued chlorination would require a costly package treatment works, significant annual O&M costs, reagent costs, labor and power.  ENSR developed an innovative stormwater management approach integrating the existing landscape with large detention basins (with forebays) and combining these with very long residence time (HRT = 38 days) multi-cellular constructed treatment wetland cells to optimize the natural biological, chemical, and physical processes of wetlands while eliminating significant O&M, and any concern over chlorine residuals.  The concept evolved to hydrologic modeling and system sizing (total system approx.  4 acres), developing a site specific areal rate (k) die-off constant for wetland basin sizing, the complete civil design, and construction documents, and specifications.  ENSR completed the construction in 2006 and performance to date has been excellent, and the facility is meeting or exceeding NPDES requirements.  A second phase of the project (capturing an additional upgradient source area) is now underway given the success of the first project.  This poster will present the background and concept, design, construction and performance highlights.

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