CWR Seminars and TalksCWR Seminar : Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment in Western AustraliaDate: 06/08/2008 at 16:00:00
Venue: Blakers Lecture Room, Ground Floor, Mathematics Building, UWA
Speaker: Dr Stewart Dallas, Director, ETC - Environmental Technology Centre, Murdoch University, WA
The potential for constructed wetlands (CWs) in Western Australia is enormous as they can provide cost-effective wastewater treatment systems which are simple and inexpensive to operate and maintain when compared to conventional treatment systems. As a result they represent an appropriate and sustainable technology for wastewater treatment - properties which have been widely documented. The largest drawback is the area they require which can make their application to urban areas problematic, however they are particularly well suited to small towns and rural communities where sufficient land is more likely to be available. In addition, regulatory bodies are currently preoccupied with the potential for mosquito habitat which can be avoided with correct design.
Constructed wetlands can be considered to be of three principal types: subsurface flow (SSF), vertical flow (VF) and free water surface (FWS). The design of these types of wetlands historically has been based on data from numerous wetlands worldwide which has been used to derive empirical equations - the 'black box' approach. The Environmental Technology Centre is now beginning to monitor several different types of constructed wetlands in southwest WA and data more relevant to the local climate is being compiled. This includes different wastewater types including greywater, levels of treatment, suitable plant species, local climatic effects and general construction details. This monitoring program will ultimately lead to improved wetland design for West Australian conditions.
Facilitator: Jorg Imberger
Organiser: Leona Lim
Student Host: Zhenlin Zhang
Other coming talks & seminars... CWR Seminar - 13/08/2008 : Title to be advised, Speaker: Prof Murugesu Sivapalan CWR Seminar - 10/09/2008 : Vertical structure of residual currents in the Liverpool Bay region of freshwater influence, Speaker: Dr Florence Verspecht Click here for a list of all seminars from the past 2 years. |
