Passive water treatment systems

Since 1985, TVA has conducted and operated one of the nation’s largest R&D programs dedicated to the science and engineering of passive, constructed-wetlands-based water pollution treatment systems. Staff members working in numerous laboratory and field locations have been pivotal in the evolution of passive treatment technologies.

Natural and enhanced biological, chemical, and physical processes are used to remove metals, nutrients, and organic pollutants from aqueous discharges. Passive treatment systems that are properly designed and operated require minimal operation and maintenance expenditures to manage diverse types of wastewater discharges, including:

Municipal and domestic wastewater
Acid and alkaline drainage
Coal-ash leachate and runoff
Coal-pile and coal refuse seepage and runoff
Explosives-contaminated groundwater
Metal- and nutrient-contaminated wastewater
Stormwater
Other agricultural, industrial, and municipal aqueous discharges.

TVA patented the ReCiprocating constructed-wetland technology (ReCip®), a simple and often more cost-effective technology than other wetland technologies. We’ve developed processes to enhance wetland aeration and can perform unbiased treatability studies and technical evaluations. Our services run the gamut from conceptual design and demonstration to full-scale implementation, and our multidisciplinary team can operate anywhere in the United States or abroad.

For additional information, go to

Results: Analytical findings of projects

Other environmental resources and services

Environmental services
Environmental technologies
Integrated resource management tools
Hydro energy services
Power supply and transmission technologies

Contact us

Environmental Resources and Services
P.O. Box 1010
Muscle Shoals, AL 35662-1010
800-831-5744
resmgt@tva.com