The Wakodahatchee Wetlands were featured in the Miami Herald this weekend, with an article that really got me itchin’ to go visit. Visit the park’s website to take a virtual tour, see some incredible photographs, and to learn more about this park. Located in Palm Beach County, it’s a little bit away, but could be good as a day trip or a side-stop when you are up in that neck of the woods. Admission is free.
The website’s "What is Wakodahatchee?" section explains how this area is used to reclaim waste water:
The name, Wakodahatchee, has an interesting history. It is derived from the Seminole Indian Language and translates as "created waters." The created waters at Wakodahatchee Wetlands are an example of people giving something back to nature. Fifty acres of unused utilities land have been transformed into a wetlands ecosystem.
Every day, the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department’s Southern Region Water Reclamation Facility pumps approximately two million gallons of highly treated water into the Wakodahatchee Wetlands. By acting as a natural filter for the nutrients that remain, the wetlands work to further cleanse the water.
Traditional methods for disposal of treated waste water have included deep injection wells or ocean outfalls. More recent emphasis has been placed on highly treating and reclaiming waste water. The Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department is a pioneer in the fields of waste water treatment and reclaimed water distribution for irrigation purposes. The Wakodahatchee Wetlands are yet another example of the Department’s innovative and forward-thinking management philosophies.