A retention media for removing substances from water that includes an aggregate; at least one granular adsorbing material capable of adsorbing nutrients and metals; and a psyllium, wherein the psyllium performs as a binder to adhere the at least one granular adsorbing material to the aggregate to form a high permeability media mix is disclosed. A method of manufacturing a media mix is disclosed that includes creating a dry mixture of aggregate, at least one granular absorbing material, and a psyllium; and saturating the dry mixture with water to create a bond between the at least one granular absorbing material, and the aggregate via the psyllium thereby forming a high permeability media mix (HPMM). A method of using a media mix to reduce concentration of substances in water includes installing materials over granular adsorbing material, aggregate; and psyllium to reduce concentration of phosphorous or nitrogen or metals in the water.