Drawing explaining Constructed Wetlands Drawing of Grey Water Systems Drawing of Pre-Filtration Process Drawing of Treatment Wetland Process Drawing highlighting Rainwater Catchment Drawing highlighting Water Absorbtion & Storage Drawing highlighting Water Reuse & Return
Green Roof
Green roofs reduce the first flush of storm water runoff that often carries pollutants from impervious surfaces. OR Rainwater from the two shed roofs is collected in WaterShed's constructed wetland, which are capable of holding 650 gallons of water.
Grey Water
50% to 80% of wastewater is greywater. This is water that does not contain biosoldis and comes from bathroom sinks, showers or bathtubs, and washing machines.
Retention Wetland - Submergent
This cell, the deepest of the wetlands, contains floating water lillies, where plant roots are perpetually submerged.
Retention Wetland - Low Tide
Of middling depth, this wetland contains many broadleafed species, which are found in low tide wetlands
Retention Wetland - High Tide
The shallowest of the wetlands, this cell contains many grasses, rushes, and sedges whose roots are submerged at high tide.
Irrigation
Landscape irrigation that takes advantage of rainwater can reduce overall water usage by 30% to 50% per year.
Filtration Wetland - Surface Flow
Containing Iris and Pickerel Rush, this wetland is designed to filter water from the green roof.
Filtration Wetland - Subsurface Flow
Subsurface wetlands use high nutrient uptake plant species to nourish microorganisms that break down excess nutrients in the water.
Filtration Wetland - Subsurface Flow
Native plant species naturally detoxify the water through the uptake of 17 essential micro- and macro-nutrients.
Pre-Filtration System
Grey water from inside the house is pre-filtered in a settling take before entering the subsurface flow filtration wetlands.
WaterShed's constructed wetlands help harvest, recycle, and reuse rainwater and grey water on site.
Graphic Credit: Joey Ijjas
Mouse over or click on a dot or arrow to learn more about WaterShed’s constructed wetlands.
Constructed Wetlands

Constructed wetlands are artificial filtration wetlands, which provide critical animal and plant habitat as well as mitigate impacts of waste water and storm water run-off. Pollutants are removed from the water when it flows through the wetland medium, where the roots and plant microorganisms are concentrated. A thin film around all of the root structures of the plants facilitates both aerobic and anaerobic processes that in turn metabolize, transform, and uptake pollutants and excess nutrients in the water. Treatment of wastewater or storm water by constructed wetlands can be a low-cost, low energy process requiring minimal maintenance and operation.

WaterShed’s filtration wetlands remove pollutants (such as soap) from grey water and are located to the west of the bathroom. Wetland plants are also used in WaterShed’s ‘retention wetlands’ in order to help keep the stored water clean.

WaterShed’s Wetland Plants

  • Hardy Water Lily (Nymphaea odorata Aiton)
  • Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)
  • Arrow Arrum (Peltandra virginica)
  • Common Cattail (Typha latifolia)
  • Pickerel Weed (Pontederia cordata)
  • Common Three Square (Scirpus pungens)
  • Swamp Hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus)

To learn more about constructed wetlands, please check out this guide from the EPA on creating wetlands.

To learn more about wetlands, please check out these EPA wetlands fact sheets.