Constructed wetland systems in Poland

Abstract

Efficiency of removal of contaminants in individual and local constructed wetland systemsoperating in 1995-2000 in Poland was analysed. Individual plants were composed of filterbeds of horizontal subsurface flow planted with willow (Salix viminalis) or reed (Phragmitesaustra/is).The local systems were hybrid constructed wetland systems consisting of horizontal andvertical flow filters. All systems were fed with septic tank effluent.Removal of organic matter and suspended solids was found to be very efficient. However theremoval of nitrogen (especially ammonia nitrogen) in one stage systems was insufficient. Itwas proved that hybrid systems ensure higher efficiencies of nitrogen removal than horizontalflow systems.