Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School (KML)

3399 Division Road

Jackson, WI  53037

Engineered Wetland Wastewater Treatment System (EWWTS)

Completed in July 2001

4,150 gallon per day Subsurface Flow Wetland

Green Benefits of the KML Green Machine:

• Improved water quality of groundwater
• A sustainable system which uses natural processes
• There is an energy offset by using wind and solar energy

Project WE CARE:  Wetland Education Changing Attitudes Recharging the Environment

• Environmental Education within School Curriculum
• Environmental Education  for students of all ages (the public)

Historical Background

In 1994, when KML constructed a classroom addition to the school, the State of Wisconsin condemned the use of its septic system.  For the next seven years, all of the school’s wastewater was channeled into metal, underground storage tanks, which had been installed to replace the aging drain field.  These tanks were pumped at least weekly and the cost became prohibitive as the school’s student population rose.

Then in 2001 during a major building construction and school renovation, it was decided to install an innovative wetland wastewater treatment system and to remove the underground storage tanks.  Discovery of perforations in the existing metal tanks were proof that we were making the best environmental decision by creating the wastewater treatment system and by replacing the old metal tanks with new concrete tanks.

Using a Natural System in the School’s Curriculum

Many people view KML’s wastewater project as “cutting edge” technology.  More than that, the project lends itself to involving students in the construction, maintenance and research of the system.

Presently, half of the wetland system is being treated with aeration, generated by the wind machine. Also, a recycle pump powered by an array of four photovoltaic panels improves nitrogen removal. This is the students’ experimental group.  The non-treated side is the control group.  Students take samples from both wetlands and contrast test results.  In addition, water pollution and wastewater treatment lab kits are used to introduce students to the concepts of waste water treatment. 

Physics students involve themselves in the project by studying the benefits of using the sun and the wind.  They are taught how to calculate the monetary savings of using the system’s photovoltaic system, as well the wind machine to treat wastewater.  By recording and graphing data, students can see the benefits of using these alternative sources of energy.

Site

• 17,000 gallons- grease trap & septic tanks
• 6,000 square foot (total)- primary wetlands (2)
• 3,000 square foot (total)- secondary wetland
• Adjacent upland native Wisconsin prairie

Materials

• Concrete septic/grease tanks
• Impervious liner
• Pea gravel
• Sand
• Organic mulch
• Native wetland prairie plants (32 species)
• Native upland prairie forbs and grass plants (12 species)
• Seeds of native wetland and upland forbs and grasses

Alternate Energy Systems                                                                                  

• Wind Machine
  • 40 foot tower
  • 10 foot diameter nostalgic windmill
  • Bellows compressor
  • 150 feet aeration tubing
• Photovoltaic System
  • Off grid
  • 4- 120 watt PV modules
  • 1- mast mounted tracker
  • 4 sealed batteries
  • 11 gallon per minute submersible pump

Owner:             Kettle Moraine Lutheran High School

                        Tom Mellon- Biology Instructor (262) 677-4051

                        tmellon@kmlhs.org

Engineer:          David A. Flowers, P.E.

                        Dave Flowers- Environmental Engineer (262) 377-6030

                        dafpe@aol.com

Primary Grant Agencies for Alternative Energy Systems:

• We Energies Foundation Grant
• Toyota Motors USA, TAPESTRY Grant
• Wisconsin Focus on Energy Renewable Energy Grant