AbstractThe paper deals with the rewetting of minerotrophic peat soils in lysimeters by means of purified municipal wastewater in different quantities as well as the ability of Phragmites australis to remove nutrients and to enhance wastewater “treatment”. The use of purified municipal wastewater could be an alternative solution for water supply required during rewetting of peat soils. The inputs and outputs at the lysimetric systems in the Havelländisches Luch (Brandenburg) were sampled over a period of 45 months (2001–2004) in order to determine nutrient balances. The aim was to examine potential environmental risks when using municipal wastewater for minerotrophic peat‐soil rewetting as alternative for water shortage in NE Germany since addition of both N and P contribute to eutrophication but not exclusively to evaluate the purification capacity of the peat soil. Even for highest input loadings, there was no discernible discharge water–quality impact over operation time. Summary results showed high percentages of removal by plants for inorganic N, P, and micronutrients. Highest removal in soil and belowground biomass was supposed for inorganic N, P, K, Ca, Mg, and Cu.