Clemson doctoral student bridges water quality with aesthetics for floating wetlands – Clemson News

Project Report: Enhancing Urban Water Quality through Community-Engaged Floating Wetlands

A doctoral research project from Clemson University, led by Clare Escamilla under the supervision of professors Sarah White and Amy Scaroni, has demonstrated the successful implementation of floating treatment wetlands (FTWs) in brackish stormwater ponds. This initiative directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by integrating environmental science with community needs to create sustainable, nature-based solutions for water management.

Methodology and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The research centered on developing and deploying FTWs in residential coastal neighborhoods, focusing on a methodology that balanced ecological function with community values. This approach is foundational to achieving integrated sustainability.

H3: Community Engagement and Social Sustainability (SDG 11)

A primary component of the project was active community participation, a key tenet of SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. The research team engaged residents to ensure the project met their needs and was integrated into the social fabric of the neighborhood.

• Focus Groups: Initial discussions were held to understand residents’ perceptions and values related to their stormwater ponds.
• Surveys: An online survey was developed to quantify community preferences regarding pond aesthetics and functionality.
• Findings: It was determined that residents highly value the ponds for recreation (dog walking, fishing) and wildlife viewing, placing significant importance on the visual appeal of any intervention.

H3: Ecological Design for Water and Life (SDG 6, SDG 14, SDG 15)

The project’s design phase addressed critical environmental challenges, directly contributing to multiple SDGs.

1. Plant Selection for Salinity Tolerance: The coastal location of the ponds presented the challenge of brackish water with fluctuating salinity. Plants were scientifically screened for their ability to survive and thrive in these conditions, preventing system failure and ensuring long-term benefits.
2. Nutrient Uptake and Water Purification: The core function of the FTWs is to improve water quality by absorbing excess nutrients from runoff, which often contains fertilizers and pet waste. This directly supports SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation by treating polluted stormwater at its source.
3. Aesthetic and Biodiverse Design: Incorporating resident feedback, the FTWs were designed with a variety of flowering plants of different heights and textures. This not only met community aesthetic preferences but also created new habitats, fostering local biodiversity and contributing to SDG 15: Life on Land.

Outcomes and Impact on Sustainable Development

The installation of the FTWs yielded significant positive outcomes, demonstrating a successful model for sustainable urban water management.

H3: Improved Water Quality and Coastal Protection (SDG 6 & SDG 14)

By mitigating nutrient pollution in stormwater ponds, the project helps prevent harmful downstream effects.

• Reduces the risk of algal blooms and low-oxygen conditions (hypoxia) in ponds.
• Protects adjacent coastal water bodies from nutrient pollution, which can lead to fish kills and ecosystem degradation, thereby supporting SDG 14: Life Below Water.

H3: Enhanced Biodiversity and Community Value (SDG 11 & SDG 15)

The FTWs were rapidly adopted by local wildlife, enhancing the ecological and social value of the residential ponds.

• Residents reported increased sightings of turtles, ducks, and other birds using the wetlands for basking and nesting.
• The project successfully transformed stormwater infrastructure into a community asset that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, reinforcing the goals of SDG 11.

Knowledge Dissemination and Future Implications (SDG 4 & SDG 17)

The project emphasized the importance of education and partnership to ensure its long-term success and replicability.

H3: Capacity Building and Public Education

To empower residents to maintain the installations, the research team developed educational materials. This work contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education by translating scientific research into practical knowledge for the public.

• A maintenance fact sheet was published via the Clemson Home and Garden Information Center.
• A comprehensive maintenance manual is in development to ensure the continued benefits of the FTWs for both the community and the environment.

This initiative exemplifies SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, showcasing a successful collaboration between academia and local communities. The research, which has resulted in multiple academic publications and awards, provides a valuable, evidence-based framework for using FTWs in coastal communities to advance global sustainability targets.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
     
     Explanation: The article focuses on Clare Escamilla, a doctoral student at Clemson University, who developed specialized skills in water quality, watershed management, and floating wetlands. Her research and education led directly to her new job as an “assistant professor and water quality specialist,” demonstrating the acquisition of relevant technical skills for employment.
   • Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.
     
     Explanation: The project itself is centered on sustainable development. Furthermore, Escamilla and her colleagues created educational materials for the public, including a “floating wetlands maintenance fact sheet” and a manual, to transfer knowledge and skills to the community for the sustainable management of their local environment.

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution…
     
     Explanation: The primary goal of the research is to improve water quality in stormwater ponds. The article states that floating wetlands help by “maintaining the water quality for nutrients” and addressing runoff containing “pet waste” and “fertilizer,” which can lead to “algal blooms.”
   • Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems…
     
     Explanation: The project uses “floating treatment wetlands” to restore the ecological health of stormwater ponds, which are described as prominent water-related ecosystems within residential neighborhoods.
   • Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.
     
     Explanation: The project heavily involved the local community. The article notes, “One of her goals was to be sure to include the residents’ input,” and mentions the use of “focus groups” and “an online survey for the residents.” The community also participated in the installation.

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries… encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers…
     
     Explanation: The work described is a university-led scientific research project focused on innovation. The article highlights that Escamilla “conducted some of the first of its kind work related to screening plants for salt tolerance and potential for use in floating wetlands,” representing an enhancement of scientific research and innovation in water treatment solutions.

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities…
     
     Explanation: The project directly addresses the environmental impact of residential communities by managing polluted stormwater runoff, which is a key environmental issue in urban and suburban areas.
   • Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces…
     
     Explanation: The research improved the aesthetic and ecological value of stormwater ponds, which function as green spaces for residents. The article states that residents “walk their dogs around it,” “fish in it,” and that the project considered “aesthetics” by choosing plants that “flowered and added a pop of color.”

5. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including… nutrient pollution.
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly states that untreated runoff from stormwater ponds “can discharge into your surrounding coastal water bodies.” The project’s goal of removing nutrients from runoff directly prevents this land-based nutrient pollution from reaching and harming marine ecosystems.

6. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity…
     
     Explanation: The installation of floating wetlands created new habitats and attracted local wildlife. The article mentions that residents “enjoyed the wildlife they were now able to view, such as turtles basking on the floating wetlands and ducks nesting. There were even reports of an alligator sunning on one…” This demonstrates a direct positive impact on local biodiversity.

7. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
     
     Explanation: The project is a partnership between academia (Clemson University researchers) and civil society (local residents and communities). The collaboration involved sharing knowledge, gathering community input, and working together on installation and maintenance.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Improving Water Quality (Targets 6.3, 14.1)

   • Implied Indicator: Concentration of nutrients in pond water. The article’s focus on how floating wetlands “uptake the most nutrients” implies that measuring nutrient levels before and after installation is a key indicator of success.
   • Implied Indicator: Frequency and severity of algal blooms. The article mentions that high nutrient levels “can lead to algal blooms,” so a reduction in these blooms would be a visible indicator of improved water quality.
   • Implied Indicator: Dissolved oxygen levels. The text notes that nutrient pollution can lead to “lower oxygen levels,” so monitoring these levels would indicate the health of the aquatic ecosystem.

2. For Community Participation and Well-being (Targets 6.b, 11.7)

   • Mentioned Indicator: Level of resident satisfaction. The article explicitly mentions gathering feedback and that “the residents liked how the wetlands looked.” Surveys and focus groups, as used in the project, are tools to measure this.
   • Mentioned Indicator: Creation and use of educational materials. The development of a “maintenance fact sheet” and a “manual” are tangible indicators of knowledge transfer and community empowerment.

3. For Biodiversity and Habitat Restoration (Target 15.5)

   • Mentioned Indicator: Presence and diversity of wildlife. The article directly cites resident reports of viewing “turtles basking on the floating wetlands and ducks nesting” as a positive outcome, serving as a direct, observable indicator of habitat creation.

4. For Research and Education (Targets 4.4, 9.5)

   • Mentioned Indicator: Number of scientific publications. The article states that “Clare published two articles and had submitted another two even before she defended her dissertation,” which is a standard indicator of research output.
   • Mentioned Indicator: Student career progression. Escamilla securing a position as an “assistant professor and water quality specialist” is an indicator of the effectiveness of the educational program in preparing students for relevant jobs.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news.clemson.edu