Manual Constructed Wetlands Treatment of Municipal Wastewaters
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United States Office of Research and EPA/625/R-99/010 Environmental Protection Development September 2000 Agency Cincinnati, Ohio 45268 http://www.epa.gov/ORD/NRMRL Manual Constructed Wetlands Treatment of Municipal Wastewaters EPA/625/R-99/010 September 1999 Manual Constructed Wetlands Treatment of Municipal Wastewaters National Risk Management Research Laboratory Office of Research and Development U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Cincinnati, Ohio 45268 i Notice This document has been reviewed in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s peer and administrative review policies and approved for publication. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use. ii Foreword The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is charged by Congress with protecting the Nation’s land, air, and water resources. Under a mandate of national environmental laws, the Agency strives to formulate and implement actions leading to a compatible balance between human activities and the ability of natural systems to support and nurture life. To meet this mandate, EPA’s research program is providing data and technical support for solving environ- mental prob-lems today and building a science knowledge base necessary to manage our eco- logical re-sources wisely, understand how pollutants affect our health, and prevent or reduce environmen-tal risks in the future. The National Risk Management Research Laboratory is the Agency’s center for investiga- tion of technicological and management approaches for reducing risks from threats to human health and the environment. The focus of the Laboratory’s research program is on methods for the prevention and control of pollution to air, land, water and subsurface resources; protection of water quality in public water systems; remediation of contaminated sites and ground water; and prevention and control of indoor air pollution. The goal of this research effort is to catalyze development and implementation of innovative, cost-effective environmental technologies; de- velop scientific and engineering information needed by EPA to support regulatory and policy decisions; and provide technical support and information transfer to ensure effective implemen- tation of environmental regulations and strategies. This publication has been produced as part of the Laboratory’s strategic long-term research plan. It is published and made available by EPA’s Office of Research and Development to assist the user community and to link researchers with their clients. E. Timothy Oppelt, Director National Risk Management Research Laboratory iii Abstract This manual discusses the capabilities of constructed wetlands, a functional design ap- proach, and the management requirements to achieve the designed purpose. The manual also attempts to put the proper perspective on the appropriate use, design and performance of con- structed wetlands. For some applications, they are an excellent option because they are low in cost and in maintenance requirements, offer good performance, and provide a natural appear- ance, if not more beneficial ecological benefits. In other applications, such as large urban areas with large wastewater flows, they may not be at all appropriate owing to their land requirements. Constructed wetlands are especially well suited for wastewater treatment in small communities where inexpensive land is available and skilled operators hard to find and keep. Primary customers will be engineers who service small communities, state regulators, and planning professionals. Secondary users will be environmental groups and the academics. iv Contents Chapter 1 Introduction................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Scope ........................................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2. Terminology ............................................................................................................................................... 1 1.3. Relationship to Previous EPA Documents ................................................................................................. 2 1.4. Wetlands Treatment Database .................................................................................................................. 2 1.5. History........................................................................................................................................................ 4 1.6. Common Misperceptions ........................................................................................................................... 4 1.7. When to Use Constructed Wetlands.......................................................................................................... 5 1.8 Use of This Manual .................................................................................................................................... 8 1.9 References ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Chapter 2 Introduction to Constructed Wetlands ........................................................................................................ 10 2.1 Understanding Constructed Wetlands ..................................................................................................... 10 2.2 Ecology of Constructed Wetlands............................................................................................................ 12 2.3 Botany of Constructed Wetlands ............................................................................................................. 12 2.4 Fauna of Constructed Wetlands .............................................................................................................. 16 2.5 Ecological Concerns for Constructed Wetland Designers ....................................................................... 16 2.6 Human Health Concerns ......................................................................................................................... 18 2.7 Onsite System Applications ..................................................................................................................... 19 2.8 Related Aquatic Treatment Systems ....................................................................................................... 19 2.9 Frequently Asked Questions .................................................................................................................... 20 2.10 Glossary................................................................................................................................................... 23 2.11 References .............................................................................................................................................. 27 Chapter 3 Removal Mechanisms and Modeling Performance of Constructed Wetlands ........................................... 30 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 30 3.2 Mechanisms of Suspended Solids Separations and Transformations .................................................... 30 3.3 Mechanisms for Organic Matter Separations and Transformations ........................................................ 35 3.4 Mechanisms of Nitrogen Separations and Transformations .................................................................... 42 3.5 Mechanisms of Phosphorus Separations and Transformations .............................................................. 46 3.6 Mechanisms of Pathogen Separations and Transformations .................................................................. 48 3.7 Mechanisms of Other Contaminant Separations and Transformations ................................................... 49 3.8 Constructed Wetland Modeling................................................................................................................ 50 3.9 References .............................................................................................................................................. 52 Chapter 4 Free Water Surface Wetlands .................................................................................................................... 55 4.1 Performance Expectations ...................................................................................................................... 55 4.2 Wetland Hydrology .................................................................................................................................. 64 4.3 Wetland Hydraulics .................................................................................................................................. 65 4.4 Wetland System Design and Sizing Rationale ........................................................................................ 68 4.5 Design ..................................................................................................................................................... 69 4.6 Design Issues .......................................................................................................................................... 78 4.7 Construction/Civil Engineering Issues ....................................................................................................