Projects / Programmes
Application of Constructed Wetlands for Drinking Water Conditioning
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.20.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Hydrology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T270 |
Technological sciences |
Environmental technology, pollution control |
| B260 |
Biomedical sciences |
Hydrobiology, marine biology, aquatic ecology, limnology |
Drinking water, conditioning, constructed wetlands
Researchers (11)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
In local water reservoirs, especially in the countryside, excessive pollution occurs frequently, in particular microbiologic pollution, which is most often a result of poorly safeguarded water protection areas. Agricultural activities can be the cause of increased content of nitrates, pesticide residue and microbiologic pollution. The existing technological solutions (e.g. membrane and absorption filters) are too expensive and difficult to manage in case of small water supply systems. Commonly used chlorination or ozonification do not remove harmful nitrates. Also, nitrates cannot be removed by adsorption agents (activated carbon, quartz sinter, diatomaceous earth, etc.), but they can be removed by reverse osmosis or chemically (ionic exchangers, etc.). Constructed wetlands (CW) are expected to provide a certain solution to all above-mentioned problems. If a suitable mechanical system of particles removal (inorganic and organic particles) is used, there is no need for additional filtering. We believe that CWs efficiently remove all microorganisms whether of faecal or other origin. Use of appropriate substrates and plants reduces the content of nitrates, COD, BOD-5, phosphates, metal ions, etc., which has been repeatedly proven by earlier research on treatment of different types of wastewater. Particular optimum solutions for removal or reduction of different pollutants, including adaptable CW size and the use of different substrates and diverse plants, are determined by model and pilot testing. Effectively conditioned water requires only the minimum prescribed quantity of chlorine, if so stipulated by regulation. Effectiveness of sterilisation by CW is comparable to other established procedures like chlorination, ozonification, adsorption, UV sterilisation and membrane filtration. Comparison with other technologies (chemical removal, adsorption, membrane filtration, etc.) is carried out also with regard to the measuring of CW capacity in removal of organic and inorganic impurities.
