Gardens for Clean Water

Gardens for Clean Water: Model-scale wastewater treatment using constructed wetlands in the Eastern Carpathians biosphere reserve – demonstration, training and education regarding the principles of decentralized wastewater management in nature reserves

Funding: 

Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt
AZ: 21118-23

Project Aim: 

Improvement of the wastewater situation in nature reserves through the implementation of model constructed wetlands

Short Description: 

Within the coordination project, two model wetlands, so-called “gardens for clean water”, will be constructed in the Eastern Carpathians biosphere reserve and their efficiency in treating the wastewater will be investigated.
The concept of the plants is oriented towards the requirements of the location. The special ‘landscaping’ of the filter surface lends an additional economic, ecological and aesthetic value. The conventional plantation with reeds is replaced by elements of landscape architecture, such as biotopes, ornamental gardens and orchards.
Thus, the reuse of wastewater and nutrients is demonstrated as a way to protect resources, and the natural integration of the treatment facilities into the nature reserve receives a higher acceptance with decision-makers and potential users. The construction works and monitoring will be complemented by a special training program for local decision-makers and potential users.

Project Partners: 
  • BDZ – Training and Demonstration Centre for Decentralized Sewage Treatment (Germany) (Project coordination)
  • Stowarzyszenie Dziedzictwo Karpat (Poland)
  • Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research – UFZ (Germany)
Project Images: