Nature-Based Solution for the Treatment of Wastewater using Wetlands

Abstract

Pakistan has been blessed by nature with enough surface and groundwater resources but due to urbanization, industrialization, and rapid population growth, it might lean towards water stress conditions. Pakistan has 70% water supply but only 36% population have access to safe drinking water including 41% of urban and 32% of rural areas. According to the International Monitoring Fund (IMF), Pakistan ranks third out of all the countries that have insufficient water resources and sanitation problems. Pakistan is shifting from a water-stressed to a water-scarce country. Wastewater treatment is the need of an hour. Wastewater can be treated by using conventional wastewater treatment technologies like plant membrane bioreactors, sequencing batch reactors, and constructed floating and wetlands. Constructed Floating Wetland has been selected in this research, it has the advantage of being simple, requires less energy demand, and low skilled operation. This research investigates the role of three aquatic plants i.e., Lotus plant, Canna Indica, and Typha domingensis. Many water treatment parameters were fulfilled during this treatment i.e. BOD, COD, TSS, TDS Ortho-Phosphate, Ph, Turbidity, Total Bacteria, Coliform, and E-Coli.  Treated water from constructed floating wetlands can be used for non-potable purposes like agricultural activities and groundwater recharge.