Preliminary Considerations Regarding Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment

The unique set of hydrological, physical, biological, and chemical characteristics of wetland ecosystems may be exploited when using constructed wetlands for treating water whose quality has been degraded from anthropogenic activities. Use of constructed wetlands for municipal wastewater treatment has the longest history of any application and more is known about it than any other. This chapter provides an overview of preliminary design factors that are important in considering constructed wetland treatment of municipal wastewaters and of coal mine drainage. In addition, the importance of maximizing aesthetics without compromising treatment effectiveness is discussed as a key component of preliminary design. The chapter focuses on wetland systems for secondary and/or advanced treatment of municipal wastewaters and is limited to two types of wetland systems: free water surface systems with emergent plants and subsurface flow systems with emergent plants. Much remains to be learned about constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment.