The town of Lorette has volunteered one of their storm drain ponds to be used as for a new environmental technology pilot project involving cattail islands.

Jodi Goerzen, Manager of the Seine/Rat River Conservation District says cattail islands are very beneficial to 

“Floating cattail islands have been proven, and there is research behind them that they really help to clean the water and increase the water’s quality by providing a haven of nutrients.”

In addition to supplying ponds, lagoons, and dugouts with positive nutrients, the islands also take out toxins that can be negative for the environment. Research Scientist for the IISD (International Institute of Sustainable Development) Richard Grosshans, says the science behind cattail islands is quite simple:

Two IISD employees guiding cattail island in place“The surface area of the [cattail] roots provides an area for microbes and bacteria to grow. So that means breaking down nitrogen and taking out other elements like phosphorous.”

The island’s base, made of loosely woven black fibers, is pockmarked with six-inch deep holes. A living cattail plant is then placed into each hole, and the openings are filled with soil. Once the simple construction of the island is complete, it is floated into the middle of the water and anchored in place on either side. Grosshans notes that one island which is only about five feet squared is not enough to purify an entire pond. The larger the body of water, the more of these islands are needed.

Goerzen says this cleaning of ponds or lagoons allows the surrounding wildlife to thrive and gives the small bodies of water a healthier, more natural appearance. She is hoping to popularize the use of these islands across Southeastern Manitoba, making the technology accessible for farmers and communities like Lorrette.

Goerzen commends her fellow researchers and environmental biologists. “It's amazing what we can do when we all work together for clean water and a healthy tomorrow.”