Biotechnological Water Sanitation for constructed wetlands through Phytodepuration
Wastewater treatment Plants are essential tools in the actions to control pollution of water
bodies and groundwater, since through it a large amount of residual contaminants and
microorganisms are removed. For this reason and faced with the increased demand of water
use, the State Water and Sanitation Commission of Tabasco (CEAS) has opted for innovation in
the treatment system using constructed wetlands that will be briefly described below, as well
as changing the image of the sanitation system aimed at the development of the "constructed
wetlands" eco-park, being this a source of inspiration for other institutions to step up their
actions, and to achieve motivating population at large, creating a social movement in favour of
the flora and fauna as well as a clean environment.
This system was designed to meet the demand of domestic wastewater from two municipal
seats (Jalpa de Mendez and Nacajuca) currently benefiting a population of 26,984 inhabitants
from both localities, as per data taken from the 13thINEGI 2010 Census, the City of Jalpa with
15,695 inhabitants, Nacajuca with 11.289 inhabitants, totalling 26.984 inhabitants). With a
design capacity of 80 lps with a purification cell expansion in 30 years, that is currently at 50%
capacity.
The constructed wetlands treatment method uses, as a central axis for wastewater treatment,
unitary operations of suspended solids sedimentation, natural adsorption of ions in the area of
stems and roots of plants grown in wastewater treatment units, absorption of nutrients in
liquid interface purification units, microbial digestion in the root zone, breaking molecules into
simple elements through the passing stream to be treated in the wetland, the progressive
mineralisation of contaminants that settle on the bio-absorption unit sludge.
All this occurs in areas delimited and designed according to environmental and organic load
factors in such a way that emulate the action of a natural wetland.
It is an innovative system for the low cost of operation and maintenance, easy operation, low
power consumption (the process by gravity) that throughout the process do not uses electric
power, adaptable in tropical areas, and so on.
In regard to the environmental surroundings, such systems create a micro fauna which houses
different species (adaptability), either seasonal or permanently. In addition, it uses plants that
are integrated into the environment. Treated water is reused in an irrigation system,
encouraging water savings. Furthermore, oxygen production and carbon sequestration and
decomposition of methane by plants that comprise the wetland are obtained as a secondary
benefit of the treatment, thus contributing to the mitigation of global climate change.
In terms of water conservation, this system is suitable for the treated water coming out of it
can be used without any problem in downloading to medium flow streams to protect aquatic
life and groundwater recharge with the assurance that groundwater will be reintroduced
gradually with water quality that will serve to meet the needs of use and consumption of the
current population and future generations.