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Stage 3. Pilot Testing with Optimal Plants and Parameters. In Stage 3, we will se- lect the most effective emergent plants, reconfigure the LEAPST"^ and PEARO test units as needed, and conduct a 40 week nutrient removal performance test of the opti- mized systems. In the RFQ, we envisioned testing, in duplicate, LEAPSTM with two most effective float- ing and emergent plant combinations (RFQ, page 29). However, to accommodate a year-long study, and to collect data on an attached algae system, we will now be oper- ating only a single LEAPSTM, with Water Lettuce in the floating plant module, and a single PEARO system. It is important to note that our experimental set-up is flexible to accommodate the County's needs and/or changes in experimental priorities that may arise during the course of the project. For example, if we fail to identify any impacts of settled solids on the floating aquatic species in Stage 2, then the two floating aquatic plant tanks could be placed in parallel to investigate different parameters to optimize treatment performance, such as measuring the impacts of crop density/harvesting fre- quency on nutrient uptake rates. On the other hand, if Stage 2 data suggests the solids have a deleterious impact on floating aquatic plants and/or algae growth, we can place the lamella clarifier unit as a pre-treatment module (as described in Stage 1). With the optimal plants in use during Stage 3, the water quality and plant tissue data will be critical to drilling down on system parameters that maximize plant health and nutrient removal performance. As with the prior Stages, we have included sufficient field and equipment blanks to meet FDEP QA/QC laboratory guidelines. All aquatic plants/algae harvested during the Stage 3 pilot study will be composted at VEN's experimental agriculture farm and pooled with compost from the Stage 2 study, as described in the Proposal. However, due to budget constraints, the testing of ma- ture compost will limited to a single composite sample and to the tests described in the US Compost Council's Seal of Testing Assurance Program, which characterizes the compost physically, chemically and biologically. Excluded from the current budget for the compost is the comparative growth testing and the herbicide/pesticide screening. Deliverables for this stage include: One page written reports on the start-up and shut down of Stage 3, weekly email updates on crop and water quality data, and a final, comprehensive report on the overall pilot study findings (see Table Al). Stage 4. Full-scale Design Report. In Stage 4, we will develop and present our rec- ommendations for a full scale system at our contract close-out meeting with the Coun- ty; the full scale system will be to designed meet the County's target removals. The Stage 4 Report, which is the sole deliverable for this Stage, will include design flow, unit process sizing and sequencing, monitoring needs, harvest system(s), product de- velopment/value assessment, and planning level capital and operating cost estimates. 7 270