INTEGRATED CONSTRUCTED WETLAND
ICW's are shallow, multi-celled, surface-flow, helophyte-vegetated wetlands that mimic the biological functions of naturally occurring wetlands dominated by reeds, sedges and rushes. These vegetated wetland ecosystems are extremely effective at intercepting and treating nutrient/pollutant-contaminated water.
They have the capacity to treat a wide range of contaminants and impede through-flows. The treatment processes involved are together physical, chemical, and biological. Each ICW design is site-specific – bespoke to meet water treatment needs and site/landscape. ICWs differ from other constructed wetlands in that they are foremost, ecologically designed to facilitate the widest possible conditions typically found in the natural wetlands that they emulate.
The main aims of the ICW system are:
• Improve water quality downstream of the park
• Enhance biodiversity
• Increase amenity values
• Promote/provide education and wellbeing
• Attenuate flows as part of the River Poddle Flood Alleviation Scheme
In addition to the above aims, an ICW will provide a range of ecosystem services, including (but not limited to):
• carbon sequestration (storage)
• retrieval (recycling) of water-vectored materials such as metals and organic matter
• develop new wetland-dependent resources
• facilitate biodiversity and reanimation of habitats
• facilitate awareness of the values of wetlands and act as a form of education platform
