Integrated Water Services, Inc. (IWS) was selected by the City of Santa Clara, CA to construct an advanced multi-phase bio-filtration system to revitalize one of its showcase park’s features, its Central Park Pond. The new system will save no less than 1.4 million gallons of potable water by switching to recycled water and the engineered wetland treatment system. The project had a very tight construction schedule which IWS met in time for the July 4th ribbon-cutting ceremony. The old pond suffered from an imbalance in nutrients due to ducks, geese, and water runoff from the surrounding park bringing organic waste into the pond. The new bio-filtration system uses wetland plants to absorb the excess nutrients in the water, and the wetland plants used in the system will also provide habitat for birds and the insects they eat. The IWS scope of work included demolition of some existing structures and piping, constructing a 175 ft. long and 8 ft. high stone faced concrete retaining wall, excavation in the existing island, placing the liner, importing and placing the aggregate for the bio-filtration system, all piping and pump installation, pond skimmers, and planting the vegetation on the surface of the treatment system. […]