An alternative approach to conventional stormwater management practices, which focus on the efficient collection and transportation of runoff to the nearest water body, is the use of constructed wetlands in order to reduce sediment loads, detain and retain water for release control, and treat selected undesirable chemical constituents. The City of Calgary built an experimental pilot constructed wetland in an effort to evaluate the effectiveness of this technology, and to address a number of uncertainties surrounding the establishment and use of such systems. One of the key objectives of the initial research was to test and evaluate the suitability and performance of several local native wetland species in constructed wetlands. The results from the vegetation monitoring program provide insight and guidance for plant spacing and the establishment of these species in constructed wetland systems. The results suggest that most species tested may be useful in constructed wetlands in western Canada. The results also suggest that, although such systems are primarily designed for water treatment, they can be designed and established to serve as multiple use facilities within urban community settings.
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