Blue Heron Water Reclamation Plant & Wetlands

The Blue Heron Wetland Treatment System was designed as a flow-through system that uses visible and microscopic aquatic plants (macrophytes and phytoplankton) to remove nutrients from the effluent. The wetland is divided into seven cells, one pond cell, three deep marsh cells, and three shallow marsh cells. The cells are separated by earthen berms. Water flows by gravity through the seven cells to a collection system along the south side of the site, which drains to the Addison Canal. Flows from the wetland discharge to the Addison Canal, which is a tributary of the St. Johns River. The wetland system was designed to treat a maximum of 6.75 million gallons per day (MGD) of effluent.

Berms

The berms are designed to maintain the water levels, so that target vegetation species receive adequate water supply. The berms also provide storage for a 100-year 24-hour storm event. The average detention time for water in the wetland is approximately 60 days. The minimum detention time is 14 days. Removing or adding flashboards to the weir structures located in each cell controls water depth and internal flow routing.

Bird Watching & Photography

The Blue Heron wetland area is a popular site for bird watching and photography enthusiasts and is listed in the Great Florida Birding Trail. It is often included as a field trip for the renowned annual Space Coast Birding and Wildlife festival. The wetland area is open to the public, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. All visitors are required to sign in at the administrative office and complete a waiver of liability form.

If you wish to visit the wetland area on the weekend, you must call the Blue Heron Water Reclamation Facility to make an appointment. Access to the wetland area is through the main gate at the Blue Heron.