Benefits of Constructed Wetlands

Better Treatment - The effluent that is currently discharged into the Congaree River would instead be sent to the Columbia Wetlands for tertiary treatment to remove additional nutrients and toxins.
Cleaner Environment - Once cleaned by the natural processes, the resulting cleaner water would flow into the Congaree making it cleaner and with no additional odors. Lake Marion is currently already an "Impaired Water" due to phosphorous and nitrogen. No sources of the contaminants have yet been reported.
Meet Regulations at Lower Cost - The Columbia Wetlands will allow the Metro plant to meet stricter effluent limits which will almost certainly be applied to the plant when it expands or when DHEC completes a total maximum daily load study of the Congaree River. All over the country the communities that use constructed wetlands are experiencing a fraction of traditional wastewater treatment costs, both initial capital costs and ongoing operating costs.
Parks and Research - Constructed wetlands are environmentally friendly and often serve as nature parks and research facilities. Both Orlando and Augusta have nature parks and university and graduate level research at their facilities.