Sewage gardens – constructed wetlands for single family households

During the last 30 years the increase of interest in low-cost decentralized and small wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) is observed in Europe. For this purpose, sand filters, stabilization ponds, mini reactors with activated sludge, trickling filters and treatment wetlands are used. Among the listed facilities, treatment wetlands (TWs) offer effective and reliable treatment efficiency, being at the same time low-cost and simple in operation. This is a sustainable treatment technology which does not generate secondary sewage sludge. In the paper, design concept and performance of nine TWs constructed in 2009 for single-family households in Kashubian Lake District is discussed. The treatment efficiency of three different TW configurations is compared. The findings of the study provide a basis for future design and implementation of TWs in agricultural areas.