Throughout 2025 and 2026, Freshwater, the University of Minnesota Water Resources Center, and Rice Creek Watershed District partnered to offer education and engaged, collaborative learning opportunities to explore the nuances of iron-enhanced sand filter systems. Through a series of two site visits and one in-person workshop, our goal was to further collective understanding among practitioners, researchers, and decision makers on the design, operation, and maintenance of these important stormwater infrastructure systems. Below are some key takeaways, along with details about the site visits and workshop:

1. No two systems, or sites, are the same. And therefore, system designs must be specific as well. One site had high groundwater levels to work with and required active pumping, while the other abutted a pond and used a passive system for filtering. 
2. Always plan for maintenance and longevity. Center maintenance considerations early in the planning process and don’t forget to consider winterization and pest management. Cutting costs on cheaper valves and pumps may seem like a good idea during construction but may lead to more costly repairs later. 
3. These systems protect downstream water quality. Monitoring and data collection are essential in understanding the impact these systems have in reducing phosphorus and E. coli to waterbodies downstream. The data shows that these systems are working, and some watershed districts are using iron-enhanced sand filter systems as a standard design on all stormwater infrastructure planning where feasible. 
4. Success relies on collaborative planning and learning from each other. At each site visit and at the workshop, those involved in design and operations learned valuable lessons, and they were generous in sharing these with us. We must continue to encourage open communication about these systems and include decision-makers in the process, so we all understand the value of well-designed and implemented systems.