Constructed Wetlands in Developing Nations Sustainable Systems as Solutions

1. Constructed Wetlands inDeveloping NationsSustainable Systems as Solutions Ian Markiewicz Ecology 474

2. Global Sanitation A Key Concern

3. Sanitation in Developing Nations is a Problem • 1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water • 1/3 to 2/3 of the global population currently lives in unsanitary conditions • Populations continue to grow; so,despite progress, we are no better off than we were in 1980!

4. Consequences • 3.2 million people die each year from drinking contaminated water • Malaria, cholera, and other sanitation related diseases are running rampant • 1,340,000 cases of cholera, leading to 11,300 deaths, emerged in Latin America alone between 1991 and 1995

5. Geographic Spread of Cholera in the Americas 1991-1995

6. Improper Waste Disposal Is a Central Concern • More People = More Waste • Improper Disposal = Increased Disease • Less than 5% of all wastewater collected in Central and South America receives treatment • Similar statistics (ranging between 5% and 10%) are found throughout the rest of the developing world

7. Clearly,Something Must Be Done!

8. Solution:Constructed Wetlands • Constructed Wetlands have been used to treat wastewater since the 1970’s • Unfortunately, the majority of projects have been limited to industrialized, developed nations • Several similar projects in developing nations have failed WHY?

9. Sustainability !!! • Sustainability refers to the long term and continuing viability of a specific project • Long term longevity is dependant upon sustainable systems • True solutions can’t be temporary! • Systems that have failed have lacked sustainability

10. Community Is Key • Constructed wetlands require local dedication, support and cooperation • Eventually, the community will assume project ownership • Ultimately, benefits must be enough for the community to want to keep the project intact • For this to happen, community must be compensated

11. Economic Importance • Unfortunately, health concerns and sanitation are not always the #1 priority • heath benefits can be subtle • Sustainability of systems in developing nations is dependent upon economic factors • A more tangible return is often necessary

12. Advantages of Constructed Wetlands …In developing Nations

13. 1) Cheaper than Traditional Counterparts • Local labor and materials are used for construction • No need to import expensive equipment • Reduced maintenance and operation costs on completed systems

14. 2) Community Interaction • Local resources are used during project construction • Variability of constructed wetlands allows for community feedback • Overall, increased dependency upon the local community throughout construction process This is the 1st step towards sustainability!

15. 3) Prolonged Compensation via potential “products” • Constructed wetlands are capable of using the treatment medium itself to produce revenue • Agriculture, construction materials, creative implementations • Habitat creation potential • Ecotourism • Goal is to spur economy at a local level This is the 2nd step towards sustainability

16. Case Study Naco Constructed Wetlands: Sustainability in Action

17. History • 1996 Naco, Sonora suffered from inadequate wastewater treatment facilities • Only capable of handling %41 of the towns inflow • Frequent overflow and spilling of untreated sewage into Naco, Sonora, and Naco, Arizona • New solutions to the problem were in order

18. Short-term Solution • Updated mechanical wastewater system • New pumps • Expansion of existing settling ponds • Total Cost = $830,000 • Project fully covered through grants from U.S. and Mexican governments and organizations

19. Long-Term Solution • Implementation of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment • Initially, pilot test cells would be installed to measure: • Efficiency • Economic feasibility • Geographic practicality • Prolonged sustainability • If successful, the project would be expanded

20. Focus on Sustainability • Constructed wetlands would be designed to serve several purposes, focusing on economy: • Vegetation would do more than treat wastewater (brief list) • Mesquite-construction, heating • Bamboo-construction • Gourds-food/water storage, revenue through crafts market • Ornamental flowers-apiculture

21. Progress • In 1997, the Naco Constructed Wetlands received an $76,459 to expand the project • In 2000, Constructed Wetland treatment facility supported 5% of the communities wastewater • Today: expansion continues • While progress may be slow, its being done carefully to ensure success

22. Naco as a Model • The Naco facility encourages viewing effluent as a resource, not a problem • The project has succeeded thus far due to: • Careful planning tailored to the unique situation • Proactive community involvement • Emphasis on community desires, concerns, and benefits throughout the project • Creative solutions

23. Final Thoughts • The Naco facility is destined to serve as a model for effluent treatment throughout the developing world • Sustainability can never be guaranteed, but odds in favor of prolonged existence can be increased • Constructed wetlands cannot solve the world’s sanitation problems, but they are a step in the right direction

24. References • 1. World Health Organization Reports on Water and Sanitation. World Health Organization, 22 Mar. 2001. <http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/hiv/01032201.htm>. • 2. “Action, Not Words: Safe Water and Sanitation for the Developing World.” World Summit for Sustainable Development, National Resource Defense Council, 28 Aug. 2002. <http://www.nrdc.org/international/summit3.asp>. • 3. Wallace, Scott D. “Putting Wetlands to Work.” Civil Engineering, July 1998 68.7: 57-59. • 4. Napalkov, Nikolai P. “Water for All: A Human Right.” World Health, July-August 1992: 3. • 5. Idelovitch, Emanuel, Klas Ringskog. Water Treatment in Latin America: Old and New Options. The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Aug. 1997. • 6. Ward, Robert M., Wen Liang. “Shanghai Water Supply and Wastewater Disposal.” The Geographical Review, April 1995: 141-56. • 7. Etnier, Carl, Bjorn Guterstam. Ecological Engineering for Wastewater Treatment. London: CRC/Lewis Publishers, 1997. • 8. Vymazal, J. Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment in Europe. Leiden: Backhuys, 1998. • 9. Robbins, Dave. ECI Environmental Compliance International, Ltd. President. Personal Interview. 17 Oct. 2002.

25. References Continued • 10. Heskett, Julia, Wayne Bartholomew. “Constructed Wetlands for Community Wastewater Treatment and Wildlife Habitat in Texas.” Nature and the Environment. Texas Parks and Wildlife, Fall 2001. • 11. Hornsby Bend. June 2002. University of Texas. <http://cluster4.biosci.utexas.edu/ hornsby/>. • 12. Water Supply, Wastewater Collection and Treatment Project for the City of Naco, Sonora. Border Environment Cooperation Commission. 15 March 1996. • 13. Ellman, Eric, Dave Robbins. “Merging Sustainable Development with Wastewater Infrastructure Improvement on the U.S.-Mexico Border.” Journal of Environmental Health, 60.7 (Mar. 1998): 8-13. • 14. Varady, Robert G., et al. “The U.S-Mexican Border Environment Cooperation Commission: Collected Perspectives on the First Two Years.” Journal of Borderland Studies 11.2 (1996). • 15. Simpson, B. Mesquite: Its Biology in Two Desert Systems. Hutchinson and Ross, 1977. • 16. Wilson, Michael. Plants for Microenterprise at Naco. Drylands Institute, 1997. <http://www.drylandsinstitute.org/naco2.htm>. • 17. Burgett, B.M. “Anti-Bacterial Systems in Honey, Nectar, and Pollen.” Honeybee Pests, Predators, and Diseases 2nd ed., Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1990. • 18. “Dialogue Participants Tour Naco, Sonora, Wetlands.” Dialogue San Pedro, May 2000. • 19. Costanza, Robert, et al. Institutions, Ecosystems, and Sustainability. London: CRC/Lewis Publishers, 2001.