is phragmites being spread by wastewater treatment facilities? · wwtp reed bed installations...

Is Phragmites Being Spread by

Wastewater Treatment Facilities?

Todd Norwood

todd.norwood@redcliff-nsn.gov

Treaty Natural Resources Division

Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

Phragmites australis subsp. australis

Non-native Common Reed Photo Credit: Dara Unglaube,

GLIFWC

Phragmites australis subsp. americanus

Native Common Reed

Project Location

Project Location

• Microflora reduces

biosolids to H2O & CO2

• Phragmites removes H2O

• Final product is 50-75%

total solids

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Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP)

Reed Beds

Phragmites australis subsp. australis

Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP)

Reed Beds

“In the past 30 years of operation, we

have never seen evidence of Phragmites

escaping from a constructed facility”

WWTP Reed Bed Installations

Washburn - 1997

Red Cliff - 2003

Greater Bayfield -

2006

1997

2000

2003

2006

2007 2013

Invasive Species

Surveys Start

Invasive Species

Surveys Start

2016

PHAUA7

PHAUA7

Year: 2003

GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route

Map Credit: GLIFWC

GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route

Year: 2007Map Credit: GLIFWC

GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route

Year: 2008Map Credit: GLIFWC

GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route

Year: 2009Map Credit: GLIFWC

GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route

Year: 2013Map Credit: GLIFWC

GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route

Year: 2014Map Credit: GLIFWC

GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route

Year: 2015Map Credit: GLIFWC

GLIFWC Invasive Species Survey Route

Year: 2016Map Credit: GLIFWC

Question:

What is the source of non-

native Phragmites (PHAUA7)

populations in the

Chequamegon Bay region?

Hypothesis:

Due to proximity of WWTP

(~1 mile), we suspect the

external populations may be

introduced by escaped or

displaced propagules of

PHAUA7 originating from the

WWTPs.

Concerns:• High-quality coastal and inland wetlands

Concerns:

• PHAUA7 not yet

well established in

the Lake Superior

basin

Source: Jason Granberg, WDNR

• $$ to control once

established

Concerns:• Wild Rice (Zizania pulustris) habitat

Photo: Sarah Johnson, Northland College

Interagency and Partner Response

• Annual control and monitoring

• Genetic study

• WWTP alternative technology analysis

Genetic Study

Question #1

What is the

genetic diversity

and relatedness

of PHAUA7

within and

across the three

WWTP Reed

Beds?

Genetic Study

Question #2

PHAUA7

What is the

genetic diversity

and relatedness

of PHAUA7 in

external

populations?

Genetic Study

Question #3

PHAUA6

What is the

genetic diversity

and relatedness

of PHAUA6

populations in

the study areas?

Genetic Study

Question #4

? HYBRID

PHAUA7PHAUA6

What is

genetic

distance?

External

popluations

outside of

reed beds

Genetic Study

Question #5

=?PHAUA7

PHAUA7

Is there statistical

support for

genetic similarity?

Sample Collection for Genetic Analysis

3-10 culms per 42 patches

PHAUA7

Areas:

1) WWTPs

2) External populations

3) St. Louis River Estuary

1 leaf per culm collected

Sample Collection for Genetic Analysis

3-10 culms per 20 patches

Areas:

1) Established populations

nearest to WWTPs

2) St. Louis River Estuary

1 leaf per culm collected

PHAUA6

Sample Collection

Sample Collection

Sample Collection

Sample Collection

Sample Collection

Sample Collection

WWTP Alternatives Analysis

Considered 8 alternatives via

Monetary and Non-monetary

Analyses:

1. Non-native Phragmites Reed Beds

2. Native Phragmites Reed Beds

3. Sand Drying Beds

4. Biosolids Thickening

5. Biosolids Dewatering

6. Regional Biosolids Management Facility

7. Alternative Ultimate Disposal,

Nonbeneficial Reuse

8. Hauling Sludge to Ashland, WI WWTP

Conclusions• We assume external Phragmites populations in

the Chequamegon Bay area to originate from

the three WWTPs.

• The genetic analysis should provide important

insight and could influence future use of

PHAUA7 in WWTP systems.

• Possible influence on state permitting guidance

in WI (18 WWTPs) and MN (17 WWTPs).

• Use of alternative technologies is likely a

better option to using PHAUA7 reed beds.

Acknowledgements

• Chicago Botanic Garden – Dr. Jeremie Fant & Laura Steger

• CSRA

• EPA and the GLRI

• GLIFWC – Dara Unglaube, Miles Falck, Sam Quagon

• NCWMA

• NPS – Brenda Lafrancois

• Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

• Strand Associates

• WDNR