Artificial wetlands for the treatment of stormwater

Abstract

Urban stormwater runoff increasingly has become an important water management issue in the development of municipalities in Ontario. Conventional approaches to the mitigation of urban runoff have involved the utilization of detention or retention ponds. An innovative strategy to control flooding and assimilate pollutants is the construction of artificial wetlands. Based upon the experience with artificial wetlands for stormwater management in the United States, this strategy seems to have great potential. Thus far, however, the use of these facilities in Ontario has not been widespread. This study begins with an examination of the hydrological functions of wetlands. Next, the use of artificial wetlands for stormwater management in three areas of the United States is examined. The paper concludes by suggesting five possible research opportunities to aid in the implementation of this technology for Ontario. © 1991 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.