Published: May 8, 2025
Bartow, Fla. – Polk County officials and project partners gathered on Wednesday, May 7, for the ribbon cutting ceremony of the Constructed Wetlands Leachate Treatment System (CWLTS) at the North Central Landfill in Winter Haven.
The CWLTS facility was developed to provide Polk County with a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solution for treating landfill leachate on-site.
“This facility is a testament to Polk County’s commitment to sustainability, innovation and responsible public service,” said Polk County Commissioner Martha Santiago. “It is a shining example of how local government, academic research and smart infrastructure planning can come together to create a positive impact for years to come.”
Previously, Polk County spent about $2.5 million annually transporting leachate to offsite wastewater treatment plants. In addition to the high costs for leachate treatment, the practice produced significant carbon emissions from trucking operations.
Leachate forms when rainwater and moisture filter through landfill waste which accumulates at the base of the landfill. Leachate contains contaminants – making proper treatment essential to protect groundwater resources.
In 2019, Polk County partnered with researchers from the University of Florida to explore more sustainable and cost-effective leachate management practices.
The result of that partnership is the Polk County North Central Landfill Constructed Wetlands Leachate Treatment System, which mimics natural wetlands to filter leachate through a series of biological and physical treatment stages. The facility includes an aeration pond, sedimentation pond, vertical flow wetland cells and a free water surface wetland cell. These features work together to significantly reduce pollutants, bringing the treated water to acceptable quality levels before it is transferred to a zero-discharge industrial wastewater pond.
The CWLTS is a clear example of how innovation and collaboration can lead to meaningful environmental progress at the local level.