Under the Acacia: The Same Polytechnic College Master Plan

Constructed wetlands Constructed wetlands are planned systems designed and constructed to employ wetland vegetation for wastewater treatment. They are simple to construct, operate, and maintain, but require careful design and management. They also provide potential ecological habitats.

Constructed wetlands generally require more space than WSPs to achieve the same level of treatment.

They also tend to be more expensive, mainly due to the requirement for importing huge amounts of gravel to form the beds in which the vegetation grows.

The quality of their treated effluent tends to be more variable than that achieved by WSPs. However, constructed wetlands increase biodiversity and provide amenity. In a campus environment, they provide opportunities for people to gather and relax.

Walking trails are often incorporated through them.

Figure 5.30, and Figure 5.31 show typical constructed wetland arrangements. Planting marginal shelves and creating the right profile through the feature optimizes performance and encourages ecosystem development.

The provision of a forebay and submerged berm at the inflow point from the campus will provide debris settlement capability, controlling water quality in the main basin.

Figure 5.30: Constructed Wetland Schematic DIagram