Comparative study of cold-climate constructed wetland technology in Canada and northern China for water resource protection

Abstract

This paper aims to be a cursory relative comparison between applications of custom-designed constructed wetland systems for specific water resources protection in Canada and northern China. Comparing constructed wetlands can be difficult and at times misleading; they are custom built to deal with specific target wastewater at specific locations and differ not only in physical shape and dimension, but in vegetation cover, hydraulic retention time, and pollutant loading rates. Treatment efficiencies defined by the Canadian and northern Chinese experience vary considerably. Experience in both countries shows that the majority of effluent values are generally better than those required by discharge standards in Canada and China. Examples provided from both countries demonstrated that plants can play a role in constructed wetland systems and make a difference in treatment efficiency. A review of the available case studies on cold weather treatment in both countries indicates that this technology is feasible in Canada and northern China, although further monitoring data are needed to optimize wetland design and ensure that the effluent quality standards are consistently met. Constructed wetland systems in both countries have an apparent advantage in construction costs, and the costs for treatment and operation and maintenance of these systems are much lower than those of conventional wastewater treatment plants. Land requirements for constructed wetlands present one of the factors most limiting their broader use, especially in China, where land resources are scarce and population density is high.