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Acknowledgement

Acknowledgments First of all, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude and warm appreciation to my supervisors Prof. Dr.-Ing. Artur Mennerich and Prof. Dr.rer.nat. Brigitte Urban for their help, support and cooperation during the preparation of my thesis work to complete in the suitable time. I am also extremely thankful to the Ostfalia University, Campus Suderburg and all its personnel, which has provided me a platform to add a new academic dimension in my career. My special thanks go to German Academic Exchange Services (Deutscher Akademisher Austausch Dienst, DAAD) for giving me the opportunity to carry out my postgraduate study in Ostfalia University. I am thankful to Dipl.-Ing. Michael Blumberg, Managing Director of Ingenieurbro Blumberg, for providing me the necessary data of Gadenstedt and Berel, arranging related literatures, materials and helping for field visits. I would like to thank the staff of Ingenieurbro Blumberg especially Dip-.Ing Jan Valentin Khne and Mrs Silke Hanke for their kindly cooperation during my practicum period in Ingenieurbro Blumberg, Gttingen. My thank goes to Mr. Norman Stab and Miss Catharina Ohlemann for their kind support during Laboratory work of wastewater sample analysis in Gro Lafferde. I would like to give thanks to Mr. Siegfried Zenk and Mr. Marko Lux for their help during the sample collection at Berel and laboratory analysis at Wasserverband Peine regional office, Baddeckenstedt. Last but not least, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to my parents for their continuous inspiration and support. An appreciation to my lovely wife Mrs. Shanti Joshi and dear son Rijul shrestha for their enduring patience and devotion.

Raju Shrestha
Ostfalia University of applied Science Campus Suderburg, Water Management in Tropical and Sub-tropical Region Suderburg, March 2010 Ecological and Economical efficiency of Constructed Wetlands and Transferability of Decentralized Wastewater Treatment Operation to Nepal

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Abstract Abstract Constructed wetlands (CWs) are engineered systems designed and constructed to treat wastewater and used as part of decentralized system of wastewater treatment, due to their characteristics as robust, low-tech systems and relatively low operational and maintenance requirements. The first experiments aimed at the possibility of wastewater treatment by wetlands plants were undertaken by Kthe Seidel in Germany in 1957 at the Max Plank Institute in Pln (Vymazal, 1998). Constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment came to prominence in the mid 1980s in Europe and this technique was used for wastewater treatment of small communities ranging from a single house to about 2000 people. After their successful application in domestic wastewater treatment, CWs also used in many other fields including industrial effluent treatment, acid mine drainage, agricultural effluent, landfill leach ate and road run-off (Cooper, 1996). CWs play an important role in many ecological concepts. The classification of constructed wetlands is based on hydrologic modes and divided into two types. First type of constructed wetland is free-water surface (FWS) in which the water level is over the surface and similar in appearance to natural marshes. Second type is subsurface flow (SSF) system, in which the water level is maintained below the surface of bed. Subsurface flow (SSF) system can be further categorized into two types based on the flow pattern, one is horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF), in water flows horizontally from inlet to outlet and another is vertical subsurface flow (VSSF), in which water percolate from top to bottom through the plat root zone. (Kadlec and Wallace et al., 2009). Phragmites communis, Typha latifolia, Typha angustifolia or other aquatic

macrophytes are used in a constructed wetland provides a better hydraulic conductivity and oxygenation in the root zone providing suitable environment for the micro-organism development. CWs show the high efficiency of organic materials (COD, BOD) reduction by micro-organism, suspended solids by filtration, nitrogen by nitrification and denitrification and plant uptake, phosphorus by adsorption and precipitation with calcium, aluminum, iron and plant uptake. Similarly pathogen is
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Abstract reduced by absorption and natural die off, heavy metal by precipitation and plant uptake. Two project (Gadenstedt and Berel) of waste water treatment through the CWs lies in Lahstedt and Baddeckenstedt municipality situated in the German Federal State Lower Saxony. CWs in Gadenstedt were designed for 3000 inhabitants and constructed in 1998. Similarly the project in Berel designed for 600 people and constructed in 2005. The decentralized system of wastewater was found to be highly effective in removing pollutants. In the case of project Berel, effluent value from constructed wetlands is found BOD5 (13.67 mg/l), COD (38.45 mg/l), NH4-N (6.87 mg/l), TN (32.81 mg/l) and phosphorus (2.83 mg/l) respectively. Similarly at Gadenstedt, concentration of BOD5, COD, NH4-N, TN and TP are found 4.46 mg/l, 16.65 mg/l, 0.61mg /l, 7.30 mg/l and 1.81 mg/l respectively. The overall efficiency of treatment plants achieved by removing the COD (86 %), BOD (94%), NH4-N (81%), and TP (52%) at Berel and COD (92%), BOD (95%), NH4-N (96%), TN (81%) and TP (55%) at Gadenstedt respectively. The main objective of the case study is to find out the efficiency of decentralized waste water treatment system through constructed wetlands and data analysis, discussion and conclusion regarding the suitability of constructed wetlands in the context of Nepal. From an environmental point of view, there is the added bonus of re-creating wildlife habitats. In terms of socio-economic benefits the fact that, once installed, reed beds are very cheap to run and are readily adaptable to wide range of domestic waste, agricultural effluent as well as industrial waste products. Theses technology are suitable not only for the developed country but also to the least developing country especially like Nepal for improving the quality of waste water and re-use in agricultural land, aesthetic purpose and preserving aquatic life.

Key words: Constructed wetlands, Decentralized system, Wastewater Treatment, Free water flow, Horizontal subsurface flow, Vertical subsurface flow, COD, BOD, Wildlife

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Zusammenfassung Zusammenfassung Bewachsen Bodenfilter (CWS) sind eine Systeme entwickelt und konstruiert, um Abwasser zu behandeln und als Teil der dezentralen Abwasserbehandlung, die aufgrund ihrer Eigenschaften als "stabil", "niedrig technologie"-Systemen und der relativ geringen betrieblichen Anforderungen.Die ersten Versuche zielten die Mglichkeit der Abwasserreinigung von Feuchtgebieten Pflanzen durchgefhrt von Kthe Seidel in Deutschland in 1957 am Max-Plank-Institut in Pln (Vymazal, 1998). Bewachsen Bodenfilter fr Behandlung von huslichem Schmutzwasser machte sich Mitte der 1980 Jahre in Europa und wurde diese Technik fr die Abwasserbehandlung von kleinen Gemeinden von einem Einfamilienhaus bis etwa 2000 Menschen genutzt. CWs verwendet auch in vielen Mine anderen Drainage, Bereichen z.B. industrielle Abwsser,

Abwasserbehandlung,

Acid

landwirtschaftliche

Mlldeponien Lauge a und Strae run-off (Cooper, 1996). CWs spielen eine wichtige Rolle in vielen kologische Konzepte. Die Klassifizierung von Pflanzenklranlagen ist die Grundlage auf die hydrologischen Modi und gliedert sich in zwei Arten. Erste Art der Pflanzenklranlage ist frei Wasseroberflche (FWS), in dem der Wasserstand ber der Oberflche und im Aussehen hnlich der natrlichen Smpfen. Zweite Art ist Grundwasserfluss (SSF), bei dem der Wasserstand unterhalb der Oberflche Bett gepflegt wird.

Grundwasserfluss (SSF) System kann weiter kategorisiert in zwei Arten auf den Strmungsmuster Basis werden, ist eine horizontale Grundwasserfluss (HSSF), in Wasser fliet horizontal vom Einlass zum Auslass und ein anderer vertikaler Grundwasserfluss (VSSF), in denen Wasser versickern von oben nach unten durch die Pflanzen Wurzeln Zone. (Kadlec und Wallace et al., 2009).

Phragmites communis, Typha latifolia, Typha angustifolia oder andere aquatische Makrophyten verwendet in einem bewachsenen Bodenfilter zur eine bessere hydraulische Leitfhigkeit und die Sauerstoffversorgung im Wurzelbereich

untersttzend geeigneter Rahmenbedingungen fr den Mikroorganismus Entwicklung. CWs zeigen die hohe Effizienz der organischen Materialien (CSB, BSB) Reduktion von Mikroorganismen, Schwebstoffe durch Filtration, Stickstoff durch Nitrifikation und
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Zusammenfassung Denitrifikation und Pflanzenaufnahme, Phosphor durch Adsorption und Fllung mit Calcium, Aluminium, Eisen und Pflanzenaufnahme. Ebenso Erreger wird durch Absorption reduziert und natrlichen Absterben, Schwermetallentfernung durch Fllung und Pflanzenaufnahme. Zwei-Projekt (Gadenstedt und Berel) der Abwasserbehandlung durch die CWS liegt in Lahstedt und Baddeckenstedt Gemeinde im deutschen Bundesland Niedersachsen. CWs in Gadenstedt wurden fr 3000 Einwohner ausgelegt und gebaut im Jahr 1998. hnlich dem Projekt in Berel fr 600 Personen ausgelegt und gebaut im Jahr 2005. Das System findet man sich als hoch wirksam bei der Beseitigung von Schadstoffen. Im Falle des Projekts Berel Ablauf Wert von bewachsen Bodenfilter enthlt BSB5 (13,67 mg/l), CSB (38,45 mg/l), NH4-N (6,87 mg/l), TN (32.81 mg/l) und Phosphor (2,83 mg/l). Ebenso bei Gadenstedt, Konzentration des BSB5, CSB, NH4-N, TN und TP sind 4,46 mg / l, 16,65 mg / l, 0.61mg / l, 7,30 mg / l und 1,81 mg / l bzw. gefunden. Der Gesamtwirkungsgrad von Klranlagen durch Entfernen der CSB (86%), BSB (94%), NH4-N (81%) und TP (52%) bei Berel und CSB (92%), BSB (95%) erreicht , NH4-N (96%), TN (81%) und TP (55%) bei Gadenstedt Aus kologischer Sicht gibt es den zustzlichen Bonus von Neuerstellen Lebensrume fr Wildtiere. Im Hinblick auf die sozio-konomischen Vorteile der Tatsache, dass einmal installiert Schilfbeets sehr billig sind zu laufen und sind leicht anpassbar an breite von Hausmll, Abwsser aus der Landwirtschaft sowie Industrie-Abflle. Diese Technologie sind besonders geeignet nicht nur fr die entwickelten Lnder, sondern auch fr die am wenigsten entwickelten Land wie Nepal fr die Verbesserung der Qualitt von Abwasser und Wiederverwendung in landwirtschaftliche Flchen, sthetischen Zweck und zur Erhaltung von Leben im Wasser.

Schlsselwrter: Pflanzenklranlagen, Dezentralen System, Abwasserbehandlung, Freies Wasser flieen, Horizontale Untergrund Strmung, Vertikale Untergrund Strmung, CSB, BSB, Wildlife

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List of Table List of Table
Table 3.1: Wastewater treatment plant Shenyang (China) for 6000 people.............................10 Table 3.2: Analysis of domestic waste water by the American Public Health Association.............................................................................................................16 Table 3.3: Per capita contributions of domestic wastewater characteristics............................17 Table 3.4: Effluent standards of different European countries for small scale discharges into the surface water.............................................................................21 Table 4.1: Temperature coefficient for rate constant in design equations................................37 Table 4.2: Values of areal rate constant...................................................................................39 Table 5.1: Typical kf values.......................................................................................................41 Table 5.2: Graded gravel used in different layer as recommend by Burka at Oaklands Park......................................................................................................42 Table 6.1: Main aquatic macrophytes used in constructed wetlands.......................................45 Table 6.2: Characteristics of main aquatic macrophytes..........................................................46 Table 6.3: Oxygen release from individual roots of Phramites, Typha latifolia, Glyceria maxima and Iris pseudacorus measured by an oxygen microelectrode..........................................................................................................48 Table 7.1: Condition of wastewater treatment plants in Kathmandu valley.............................52 Table 7.2: List of Constructed Wetlands in Nepal....................................................................54 Table 7.3: Efficiency of CWs....................................................................................................55 Table 7.4: Summary statistics of inlet and Outlet concentration and mean efficiency Dhulikhel Hospital Constructed Wetland System......................................................................................................................57 Table 7.5: Concentration of pollutants at Sunga......................................................................60 Table 8.1: Technical data of Constructed Wetlands at Gadenstedt.........................................69 Table 8.2: Facts and figures about the combined wastewater treatment biotope....................72 Table 8.3: Limiting pH values for different aquaculture............................................................75 Table 8.4: Sample preparation as per upper limit of measuring range of BOD5......................79 Table 8.5: Requirements for waste water at the point of discharge into the Sangebach.............................................................................................................86 Table 8.6: Technical data of screening system installed in Berel.............................................88 Ecological and Economical efficiency of Constructed Wetlands and Transferability of Decentralized Wastewater Operation to Nepal

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List of Table
Table 9.1: NH4-N reduction in percentage by TF and CWs...................................................102 Table 9.2: Annual average value of nitrogen concentration at Gadenstedt WWTP..............106 Table 9.3: Monthly average effluent data of different nitrogen form measured in constructed wetlands and polishing pond at Berel WWTP...............................107 Table 9.4: Summary of removal efficiency of constructed Wetlands in Germany and Nepal...........................................................................................120 Table 9.5: Efficiency of CWs and operation cost....................................................................122

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List of Figure List of Figure
Fig 3.1: Constructed wetlands in the treatment cycle...............................................................11 Fig 3.2: Cross section of an HSF constructed wetland.............................................................12 Fig 3.3: Detail cross- section of Vertical Flow Subsurface CWS..............................................13 Fig 3.4: A range of possible source of household wastewater from toilet, kitchen, bathroom, laundry and others.......................................................15 Fig 3.5: Permeability test model with different material (Gravel, Sand, Silt and clay)..............25 Fig 3.6: Nitrogen transformation in constructed wetlands........................................................29 Fig 5.1: Example of filter material used in CWs for municipal Wastewater treatment in Brazil and Peru....................................................................42 Fig 6.1: Emergent macrophytes (a) Phragmites australis (b) Schoenoplectus lacustris (c) Typha latifolia ..........................................................44 Fig 6.2: Oxygen mass balance for Phragmites australis in the constructed reed beds at Kal, April 1988 (g O2/m2d) ......................................47 Fig 7.1: Map of Nepal showing Mountains, Mid hill and Terai regions49 Fig 7.2: Map of Wastewater Treatment Plants in Kathmandu Valley......................................51 Fig 7.3: Guheshwori Wastewater Treatment Plant..................................................................53 Fig 7.4: Site Plan of the Constructed Wetland System at Dhulikhel Hospital...........................56 Fig 7.5: Solid Waste dumping site before and after the construction of CWs at Sunga wastewater treatment plant, Thimi...............................................................58

Fig 8.1: Map of Gadenstedt, Lahstedt.........................................................................61

Fig 8.2: Population graph of Gadenstedt.................................................................................62 Fig 8.3: Combined waste water biotope in Oberg....................................................................63 Fig 8.4: Isometric view of Gadenstedt and project site (from Google).....................................64 Fig 8.5: Screening and collection drum (HUBER Screenings Treatment Systems in Gadenstedt)...........................................65

Fig 8.6: Grit chamber in Gadenstedt treatment plant...................................................66

Fig 8.7: a) Wastewater dosing into the bed through the rotating arm, b) lay out plan of project, c) trickling filter and Ecological and Economical efficiency of Constructed Wetlands and Transferability of Decentralized Wastewater Operation to Nepal

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List of Figure
d) diagram of biological process in trickling filter.........................................................67 Fig 8.8: a) Construction phase of Lagoon, b) Bed preparation of Constructed wetlands, c) planting Reeds in bed during the construction period of 1997-1998, d) after the maturation of Reed ..................................................................................68 Fig 8.9: CWs used as a tertiary treatment system...................................................................70 Fig 8.10: CWs used as secondary treatment system at Gadenstedt WWTP...........................71 Fig 8.11: Combined wastewater treatment biotope (Lagoon) at Gadenstedt..........................71 Fig 8.12: Isometric view of wastewater treatment plant at Gadenstedt....................................73 Fig 8.13: pH meter (WTW pH 315i)..........................................................................................75 Fig 8.14: Influent and effluent sample taken at Gadenstedt WWTP........................................77 Fig 8.15: left: Sample of wastewater in the Laboratory for the analysis Right: Miss Katharina Ohlemann (Lab technician) using the Homogenizer to homogenize the sample...........................................................78 Fig 8.16: SPECTROPHOTOMETER DR2800 for the measurement of BOD5 and other required data also in Gro- Lafferde ........................................................79 Fig 8.17: COD measurement of LCK-514, LCK-314 cuvettes kits box and HT200S high temperature Thermostat ............................................................80 Fig 8.18: Total nitrogen (TN) measurement of LCK-338 cuvettes kits box with reagents (A, B, C and D)...................................................................................81 Fig 8.19: LCK-303 cuvettes test sample for NH4-N and Kit box with instruction of measurement process.................................................................82 Fig 8.20: LCK -340 and LCK -339 cuvettes kit boxes for NO3-N measurement.....................83 Fig 8.21: Map of Wolfenbttel district and Berel.......................................................................84 Fig 8.22: Geographic location of Berel.....................................................................................84 Fig 8.23: Photo of Berel village and treatment plant.................................................................85 Fig 8.24: COD and BOD effluent values of self-monitoring of the treatment plant Berel..........86 Fig 8.25: Ntotal and Ptotal effluent values of self-monitoring of the treatment plant Berel............86 Fig 8.26: Screening and automatic screening waste collected in dust pin at Berel WWT............................................................................................................87 Ecological and Economical efficiency of Constructed Wetlands and Transferability of Decentralized Wastewater Operation to Nepal

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List of Figure
Fig 8.27: Isometric view of Berel wastewater treatment plant at Berel.....................................88 Fig 8.28: a) Gravel filling over the drain pipe in the bottom layer of bed, b) Reed planting in the bed, c) Lay out plan of Berel treatment plant (Pond and constructed wetlands) d) Reed after the maturation, e) End cape fitting at distribution pipe................................................................89 Fig 8.29: shows the structure of the filter materials used in CWs schematically.....................90 Fig 8.30: Water sample collection as shown in circle at Berel treatment plant.........................91 Fig 8.31: left: Mr. Marko Lux (Lab technician) using the Homogenizer to homogenize the sample and right: Sample of wastewater in the Lab for the analysis........................92 Fig 8.32: OxiTop Respirometer for BOD measurement in Laboratory......................................92 Fig 9.1: COD influent and effluent values at Gadenstedt WWTP.............................................95 Fig 9.2: COD reduction efficiency of CWs and TF at Gadenstedt WWTP................................96 Fig 9.3: COD influent and effluent values and reduction efficiency at Berel WWTP...............97 Fig 9.4: BOD5 influent and effluent values at Gadenstedt WWTP..........................................98 Fig 9.5: BOD5 reduction in percent by TF and CWs...............................................................99 Fig 9.6: BOD influent and effluent measured values of wastewater at Berel........................101 Fig 9.7: NH4-N influent and effluent values at Gadenstedt WWTP........................................102 Fig 9.8: NH4-N influent and effluent values at Berel WWTP..................................................103 Fig 9.9. NH4-N reduction efficiency of Berel WWTP..............................................................104 Fig 9.10: Total nitrogen (TN) influent and effluent values at Gadenstedt WWTP...................106 Fig 9.11: Total Nitrogen influent and effluent values of Berel WWTP....................................107 Fig 9.12: phosphorus influent and effluent values of Gadenstedt WWTP.............................109 Fig 9.13: phosphorus influent and effluent values of Berel WWTP........................................110 Fig 9.14: Phosphorus reduction efficiency of Berel WWTP....................................................110 Fig 9.15: pH value of influent and effluent of wastewater at Gadenstedt WWTP...................112 Fig 9.16: pH influent and effluent values of Berel WWTP......................................................113 Fig 9.17: Annual pattern of water and air temperatures at Gadenstedt WWTP....................115

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List of Figure
Fig 9.18: Relationship between annual average water and air temperature in CWs, Gadenstedt (Tw = 0.44 Ta, R2 = 0.74) ................................116 Fig 9.19: Water temperature of inflow and outflow from SP, CWs, and PP of Berel WWTP...................................................................................117 Fig 9.20: Power consumed by conventional system and Constructed Wetlands..................118 Fig 9.21: Energy cost of Gadenstedt WWTP..........................................................................119 Fig 9.22: Power consumed and total power cost for Berel WWTP.........................................119 Fig 9.23: (a) Mr. Matthias Meyer with a Kingfisher in the station. (b) Snails (invertebrates) on bed, (c) Tufted Duck swimming at combined biotopes (Lagoon).................................124

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Acronyms and Abbreviations List of Appendix
Appendix - I: BOD5 and COD values of Gadenstedt and Berel WWTP.................................134 Appendix - II: NH4-N, NO3-N, NO2-N, TN measurement of Gadenstedt and Berel WWTP.............................................................................................141 Appendix - III: Phosphorus measurement at Gadenstedt and Berel WWTP.........................146 Appendix - IV: Temperature data and pH values of Gadenstedt and Berel WWTP................150 Appendix - V: Discharge and power measurement at Gadenstedt and Berel WWTP............151

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Acronyms and Abbreviations Acronyms and Abbreviations ADB ATV BASP BOD C COD CWs d DWSS EC ENPHO FWS g GDP ha HDPE HF CWs HSF HSSF KV kWh L m
2

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Asian Development Bank Abwasser Technische Vereinigung Bagmati Area Sewerage Construction Rehabilitation Project Biochemical oxygen demand Degree Celsius Chemical oxygen demand Constructed Wetlands day Department of Water Supply and Sewerage European Communities Environment and Public Health Organization Free Water Surface gram Gross Domestic Production hector High-density polyethylene Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetlands Horizontal subsurface Horizontal Subsurface Flow Kathmandu Valley Kilowatt hour Liter square meter milligram Million litres per day Nitrogen Phosphorus Person equivalent Polishing pond Polyvinyl chloride Reed Bed Treatment System

mg MLD N P p.e. PP PVC RBTS

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Acronyms and Abbreviations rpm RZM SF SKM SP SS TF TN TP TSS USEPA VF CWs VSF VFBs WC
WHO

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
=

Revolution per minute Root Zone Method Subsurface Flow Sushma Koirala Memorial Settling pond Suspended Solids Trickling filter Total nitrogen Total phosphorus Total Suspended Solids United States Environmental Protection Agency Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands Vertical subsurface flow Vertical Flow Beds Water Closet World Health Organization Wastewater treatments plant Year

WWTP Yr

= =

Ecological and Economical efficiency of Constructed Wetlands and Transferability of Decentralized Wastewater Operation to Nepal