In 1987, Orlando established a vast, constructed wetland system to clean reclaimed water. Today, it processes approximately 5.11 billion gallons each year. To maintain this natural filtration, regular land management is essential. As aquatic plants grow and decay, they produce organic muck, slowing water flow and potentially causing nutrient pollution. Periodic 'demucking' projects are necessary to remove the accumulated sediment and restore the marsh's original efficiency. These projects cover around 100 acres on average, clearing about 200,000 cubic yards of organic matter during each cycle. The city determines maintenance areas through ongoing research and water-flow monitoring. Once an area is chosen, it is drained, the muck removed, the ground leveled, and native aquatic plants replanted for nutrient absorption and wildlife habitat. Reclaimed water then flows through the restored marsh cells, ensuring effective water treatment since the demucking method was first used in 2002. The Orlando Wetlands, situated on historically wet prairie land in the St. Johns River basin, provide important water management functions while creating a reliable, low-energy municipal water treatment system. However, without regular maintenance, the system could lose its ability to treat wastewater effectively.