BECOME A DISTRIBUTOR | CONTACT | FAQs

Floating Islands

Question: I've heard that floating islands can play an important role in treating wastewater and controlling algae. How is this possible? Answer: Floating islands, sometimes called Floating Treatment Wetlands, are a fascinating technology that are being used in a variety of applications, including nutrient and pollution removal, wildlife habitat and wetland restoration, storm water management, management of effluent ponds and wastewater treatment. The islands begin as a matrix of buoyant recycled material (such as shredded plastic drinking bottles) that resemble a loofah. This recycled material is then covered with a geotextile layer, soil and other materials to complete the physical structure. Plants appropriate to the growing conditions are added, and the island is either set free to drift or anchored in a convenient location. Roots from the plants grow down into the water, providing shelter and food for fish and beneficial microbes, while the surface provides a habitat for birds and other wildlife. Floating islands can be any size, and can be engineered to support a significant load. Since the island floats, it is not affected by changing water levels such as flooding. The key benefit of floating islands comes from its interaction with the water. In many ponds and lakes near farm lands, as well as in manmade ponds, algae is a big problem. Fertilizers washed off during rains flows into natural ponds, groundwater and manmade catchments such as storm water runoff ponds. Algae flourishes in water that has an excess of nutrients such as phosphorous and nitrogen, and chokes out other forms of life, leaving an ugly, smelly mess. The plants growing on floating islands, however, readily absorb excess nutrients in the water and even cleanse the water of many types of pollution, including some heavy metals. Among the submerged roots of the island, colonies of microbes form that treat the water by consuming and thriving on large quantities of otherwise harmful nutrients. The potential uses of floating islands for wastewater treatment, wetlands restoration and algae mitigation have spurred a variety of research projects regarding the specific capabilities of different plant types to absorb and cleanse the water of harmful substances. Floating islands are cost-effective to build, easy to use and maintain and are largely made from recycled materials. The BTL Liners team is excited about the continuing development of this technology. For more information about floating ponds, please visit www.floatingislandswest.com.


Liners by BTL

AquaArmor Pond Liner

The most versatile liner on the market today, AquaArmor maximizes protection from harmful UV rays, tear resistance and punctures that cause leaks. Simply the best liner on the market.
Go Now

Newest Articles:

Go Now

Subscribe to Updates

Article Topics

Agriculture Covers Tarps Aquaponics Energy Liners Hydroponics Greenhouse Light Deprivation Water Gardens Farm Ponds Greenhouses Greenhouse Gardening Greenhouse Cover Fish Pond Pond Fish Golf Course Pond Golf Course Water Feature Natural Pond Landfill Cover Irrigation Irrigation Pond Irrigation Canal Hydraulic Fracturing Oil Containment Secondary Containment Fracking Oil Liner Fuel Liner Frac Pit Fire Protection Pond Fire Suppression Pond Fire Pond Geomembrane Canal Liner Brine Pond Koi Pond Algae Pond Nursery Pond Retention Pond Man-Made Lake Lakes Geothermal Greenhouse Commercial Greenhouse Preformed Pond Liner Groundwater Storage Lagoon Mining Pond Mining Lagoon Evaporation Pond Salt Pond Pond Liner Materials Catch Basin Stormwater Management Barren Pond Processing Pond Natural Swimming Pond Drainage Systems Ditch Lining Aquaculture Sewage Lagoon Mining Geomembranes Floating Cover Wastewater Containment Geosynthetics Cistern Lining Erosion Control Fertilizer Containment Winery Water Silage Cover Winery Irrigation Pond Baseball Field Cover Tailings Pond Produced Water Liner Produced Water Winery Construction Pond Winter Ponds Fish Hatchery Algae Raceways Coal Ash Containment Fishing Lakes Oilfield Pits Aquatic Habitats Lake Restoration Landfill Cell Liners and Cap Covers Leachate Pond Rain Cover Heap Leach Pads Residential Ponds Gas Collection California Drought California Pond Liner Overburden Containment Pond Liner Fish Stocking Pond Mine Reclamation Wastewater Cover Drought Irrigation Reservoir Sludge Management Cable Parks Baffle Systems Alternative Daily Covers Reservoir Pond Aeroponics Food Shortages Homesteading Prepping Toxic Waste Potable Water Storage Green Roof Clearwells Stormwater Harvesting Snow Making Ponds Pond Plants Hunting Ponds Oregon Pond Liner Lavender Site Runoff Containment EPDM Liners Duck Hunting Pond Deer Hunting Pond Decorative Ponds Methane Capture Large Pond Sports Field Liner California Fire Pond Helicopter Dip Pond Oregon Fire Pond Pond Skimming Geotextile Fabric Silt Fences Backyard Greenhouses DIY Greenhouse RPE Liners Desalination