Land Area Optimization Study of Sub-surface Constructed Wetland

Ph.D. Candidate: Mr. Manoj Kumar Pandey

The conventional wastewater treatment systems are costly to operate and maintain in developing countries like Nepal. In this regard the use of natural treatment system such as constructed wetland would be a viable option to abate the water pollution problems. Review of the historical design approach indicates there has been no consensus regarding design criteria for sub-surface flow wetlands. Although considerable amount of research on the application of constructed wetlands in water pollution control has been carried out, research findings do not collate enough information regarding the process kinetics, engineering design and universal applicability. Very little research has been done in developing countries where the technology may be most effective. This research work aims to understand the process kinetics associated with the organic matter removal mechanisms governed by the pertaining hydraulics and wetland components of a sub-surface constructed wetland. Based on the process kinetics the optimization of land area requirement for the sub-surface flow constructed wetland will be carried out. The research will be carried out in a full scale models having different plant species, different wetland media, different bed depth and different wastewater strength. The pilot scale model will be used basically for model parameter determination and model validation.