N.J. community installs floating wetlands to improve in-lake water quality

One community along the shores of New Jersey’s Lake Hopatcong installed a system of floating wetlands to improve water quality in the lake, the Daily Record reported.

After noticing algae blooms in Lake Hopatcong, residents of Jefferson, N.J., sought out and obtained a pollution grant from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. The township used the money to install the Floating Wetland Islands system, a technology implemented by Princeton Hydro.

The islands look like floating gardens, and host plants such as milkweed and hibiscus. The plants’ roots grow out into the water and soil below, securing the islands to the shoreline. Just like real wetlands, the islands help filter impurities and excess nutrients from the water.