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PSDA Office
4 Windmill Place, Ayanagar Village New Delhi 110047 India Tel +91 (0)11 26503741 / 26503859 Fax +91 (0)11 26502373 design@ayanagar.com www.psda.in September 09
Introduction
Constructed wetlands
Constructed wetland systems are simple, locally manageable and cost effective biological wastewater treatment systems that utilise wetland plants, soil, and their associated microorganisms to mimic natural wetland eco systems processes for the treatment of waste water. As the water flows through the bed, it gets treated through natural processes; pollutants in the waste water are mechanically filtered, chemically transformed and biologically consumed. With respect to the direction of waste water flow (i.e. horizontal or vertical flow), constructed wetlands are divided into reed beds, also known as Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetlands and Vertical Flow Planted Gravel Filters. Preliminary treatment or pre-treatment of wastewater for removal of oil and fat, hair, lint, food residue, large solids etc. by sedimentation and floatation is required upstream the constructed wetland system.
Advantages
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Established technology Natural looking Good pathogen removal due to die off and predation Minimal maintenance Can use wide range of water plants Robust Treated water if fit for non potable use: surface application, irrigation, and discharge to receiving water bodies
Role of Plants
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Provide beauty , making people more likely to care for the system Transport air to their roots, which may enhance treatment locally Release selective biocide compounds, killing harmful microbes Provide physical filtration and electrostatic attraction of small particles Provide a habitat for microorganisms and larger consumer organisms Take up some heavy metals
At PSDA office, Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetland has been adopted to treat the wastewater.
Stages of Construction
Tank for overflow water from septic tank
Base preparation
Planted cannas
References
Sewage Solutions: Answering the Call of Nature; Nick Grant, Mark Moodie, Chris Weedon; 2000; Centre for Alternative Technology Publishing, UK Do-it-yourself: Recycle and Reuse Wastewater; 2008; Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi
Advisors
R.K. Srinivasan, Centre for science and environment, New Delhi Mahesh Babu, Mc D Built Environment and Research Laboratory Pvt. Ltd. Bangalore Mukesh Asija, Krim Engineering Services, New Delhi