Long-term performance summary for the Boot Wetland Treatment System

The Boot WTS is a 46.5-ha, hydrologically altered cypress-gum wetland in Polk County, Florida. Poinciana Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 3 has discharged advanced secondary treated effluent to the Boot WTS since August 1984. Comprehensive operational monitoring has been ongoing since 1990. The Boot WTS has provided consistent removal of nitrogen and phosphorus. Influent total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations averaged approximately 10.0 mg/L and 2.5 mg/L at an average hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 0.2 cm/d. Wetland effluent concentrations for TN and TP averaged 1.8 mg/L and 1.2 mg/L. Available flow and water quality data were used to develop estimates of the first-order removal rate, k, for TN (14 m/y) and TP (1.8 m/y). These removal rates are within the range of values for other forested treatment wetlands. Biochemical oxygen demand (2.2 mg/L) and total suspended solids (4.9 mg/L) in the influent are near background levels for forested wetlands and are not significantly reduced with passage through the system.