Treatment Wetlands as Ecotechnological Tools for Regenerative Reclamation of Wastewater: Experiences from Working with Kalyani Model

Abstract

Abstract-Presently world is facing mounting water stress, both in quantity and quality, which has prompted many municipalities for a more efficient use of the water resources, including a widespread acceptance of water reuse practices. Treatment technology encompasses a vast variety of options. As a low-cost, eco-friendly approach constructed wetlands are recently promoted for wastewater treatment and end use applications of reclaimed water. The present study was conducted to assess the performance of a series of treatment wetlands (waste stabilization ponds) in wastewater purification in Kalyani, West Bengal, India in the perspective of reclamation and bioregenerative reuse of reclaimed wastewater. The waste stabilization ponds have been proved very efficient and cost-effective nature-based system for increasing the ecological value of wastewater in culturing aqua-crops and thus converting organic wastes into fish biomass.