Wetlands for Water Quality

To make participants aware of the value of wetlands, and to provide them with information about the usefulness of the use of natural and constructed wetlands for the treatment of wastewater and an integrated production system.

At the end the participants should be able to understand the concept of waster purification by macrophytes, and they should be able to design such a system and an integrated production system.

Makerere University, Uganda; University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Czech Republic.

Introduction on wetlands: what are wetlands, where are wetlands, and the role of wetlands. The role of wetlands in the catchment area: general aspects, hydrological aspects, wetlands as buffers and the role in relation to climate.

Natural wetlands being used for wastewater treatment: the basic principles, the advantages and disadvantages, the risks. Examples in a temperate climate and examples in the tropics.Constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment: the different types, the design and criteria for design. Advantages and disadvantages. The Dutch situation, case studies in the tropics.

Waste stabilisation ponds. Integrated production systems: examples, advantages, disadvantages, economics, nutrient flows. Modelling of integrated production systems. Field visits.