Originally designed for small streams affected by high levels of E coli and powered by student-made bio-filters, the Trinity River Bioremediation Demonstration that took place between June 15 and July 27 added 22,200 gallons of fermented onion juice to the John Bunker Sands Wetlands. The presentation on August 20 at the Wetland Center will explain the science behind why fermented onion juice can help break down phosphates and other nutrients and bacteria. We will present the data collected during and after the demonstration and discuss the variables of working in a constructed wetland versus a small stream or wastewater treatment plant. We will also give an instructional on how to make your own organic waste-based biostimulant and help you find the microbes we use to inoculate the wetlands under a microscope.

The Trinity River Bioremediation Demonstration is a project that utilizes food-grade microorganisms growing on agricultural by-products to stimulate the naturally occurring microorganisms in the soil and sediment of the Trinity River to more effectively break down nutrients and contaminants. After the presentation, we will take a walk on the boardwalk, in the wetland filtration cell where the demonstration took place. John Bunker Sands Wetlands is one of the largest constructed wetlands in the world, filtering up to 92 million gallons of river water every day for the Upper Trinity River Watershed customers. The Trinity River provides drinking water for half of all Texans.