Project Page Views: [ 688 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | A complete water and pollutant balance for a constructed wetland treating wastewater from a dairy processing plant (WETBALANCE) |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | WETBALANCE |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Mary Kelly-Quinn |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | University College Dublin (UCD) |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 53.30859, -6.22577 |
| Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 01/02/2006 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 01/11/2009 |
| Project Website (if any) | |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Wastewater; Groundwater; Wetland; Treatment |
| Project Abstract | The utilisation of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment is increasing in Ireland. Concerns exist about leakage of wastewater and pollutants to groundwater. This demonstration project which is unique not just for Ireland but globally will for the first time assess the full balances for water and pollutants of a newly constructed wetland for treatment of wastewater from a dairy processing plant.The water balance will be assessed by monitoring input flows movement to/from groundwater evapotranspiration and output flows. The pollutant balances are affected by the water movement but also depend on the development of the wetland ecosystem. Because this is a newly constructed system it is not expected to optimally remove pollutants initially particularly those affected by plant growth (N P etc.) but this will improve as the ecosystem matures over the first two years.The outcomes of the research will be presented at scientific conferences and in scientific journals but will also be made accessible to all stakeholders. In addition to a technical report to the EPA a summary for lay persons will be prepared. A dedicated website will be maintained with information about the project for specialists and non-specialists. |