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'''A Free-Water Surface Constructed Wetland is a series of flooded channels that aims to replicate the naturally occurring processes of a natural wetland,marsh or swamp. As water slowly flows through the wetland, particles settle, pathogens are destroyed, and organisms and plants utilize the nutrients.'''
The efficiency of the Free-Water Surface Constructed Wetland also depends on how well the water is distributed at the inlet. Wastewater can be input to the wetland using weirs or by drilling holes in a distribution pipe to allow it to enter in even spaced intervals.
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Regular maintenance should ensure that water is not short-circuiting, or backing up because of fallen branches, garbage, or beaver dams blocking the wetland outlet. Vegetation may have to be cut back or thinned out periodically.
==Acknowledgements=={{:Acknowledgements Sanitation}} ==References and external links==
* Crites, R. and Tchobanoglous, G. (1998). Small and Decentralized Wastewater Management Systems. WCB and McGraw-Hill, New York, USA. pp 582–599. (Comprehensive summary chapter including solved problems.)
* General information [http://www.constructedwetlands.org www.constructedwetlands.org ]
==Acknowledgements==
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