Title: Integrated Constructed Wetlands: concept, design, site evaluation and performance

Authors: R. Harrington, P. Carroll, A.H. Carty, J. Keohane, C. Ryder

Addresses: National Parks and Wildlife, Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, The Quay, Waterford, Ireland. ' Waterford County Council, Kilmeaden, Waterford, Ireland. ' Environmental Consultant, 1 Beechwood Ave, Cluain Ard, Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland. ' Geotechnical and Environmental Services, Innovation Centre, Carlow Institute of Technology, Carlow, Ireland. ' Engineering Services, Office of Public Works, 17–19 Hatch Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

Abstract: |Integrated Constructed Wetlands| (ICW) are a joined-up approach to land and water management. Significant synergies were achieved by explicitly combining environmental, ecological and aesthetic objectives. Intercepted precipitation was found to be the main factor determining treatment efficacy. Soil infiltration and evapo-transpiration combined to enhance hydraulic residence time. A wetland area and configuration were the principal factors determining effluent water quality. During periods of low precipitation ICW discharge tended to positive synchrony with the receiving waters. There were significant improvements to the ecology and water chemistry of receiving waters after five years of ICW intercepting about 75% of farmyard pollution.

Keywords: integrated constructed wetlands; ICWs; land-water interfaces; site assessment; phosphorus; nitrogen; groundwater; surface water; sustainability; catchment; sub-catchment; precipitation; surface flow; sustainable development; farmyard pollution; ecology; water chemistry.

DOI: 10.1504/IJW.2007.015217

International Journal of Water, 2007 Vol.3 No.3, pp.243 - 256

Published online: 27 Sep 2007 *

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