Assessment of performance characteristics of some constructed wetlands in Nepal

Murthy, V. Krishna; Khanal, Sanjay Nath; Majumder, Ahmad Kamruzzaman; Weiss, Aharon; Shrestha, Deepika; Maharjan, Shovana

doi:10.15626/eco-tech.2007.017

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…4). The sub-tropical climatic condition of urban areas of Nepal stimulated better growth of rhizosphere plant which led to better biological activity in soil for constructed wetlands performance [10], however in Dhapakel, we used recommended local plants (calamus).…”

Section: Work Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature-Based Water Treatment Solutions and Their Successful Implementation in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Boukalová

Tìšitel

Gurung

2020

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment

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Surface and groundwater in cities and downstream urban areas may suffer from serious pollution from point and diffuse sources from upstream and in-catchment, which might have a negative impact on the ecology, quality of life and land values of the city. Enhanced nature-based treatment solutions (such as constructed wetlands) have the potential to remove pollutants from the water (e.g. storm water, urban run-off, river water and wastewater) that will lead to improved water quality and water use efficiency. Such natural treatment measures, when well organised and integrated into the overall urban planning and design, can also contribute to climate adaptation by reducing drought/flood risk and constitute attractive components of the urban landscape. The constructed wetlands are a strategic nature-based technology for Nepal, where discharge of untreated wastewater into rivers, lakes or any other water body is a common practice. Constructed wetlands are highly efficient in removing organic, insoluble substances and some pesticides, and their construction and operation are both simple and cost-effective. However, the main conditions of the successful implementation of the constructed wetlands in Nepal (and the other developing countries) should be clearly stated. Legislation and standards in Nepal are weak and, therefore, wastewater treatment is not a priority for city governments and private institutions. Despite constructed wetlands being a low-cost technology, it might be difficult to convince people to pay for their wastewater treatment. The key issue is "who" takes the responsibility for their maintenance and how this responsibility is defined and granted. Our paper discusses the best and worst practices in the Kathmandu Valley and the conditions that could influence the successful implementation of the nature-based treatment solutions in developing countries more generally.

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Section: Work Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature-Based Water Treatment Solutions and Their Successful Implementation in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Boukalová

Tìšitel

Gurung

2020

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment

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“…Empirical data were gathered by the use of semi-standardized interviews with particular stakeholders. In the situation of the absence of an effective state regulatory framework in Nepal [16][17][18], local socio-economic conditions were considered the most important factor for the successful implementation of constructed wetlands in situ. Therefore, the interviews aimed to reveal the socio-economic and cultural situations in particular spots, as well as the role of particular stakeholders in the process of constructed wetland building and operating or declining.…”

Section: Field Research In the Kathmandu Valleymentioning

confidence: 99%

Constructed Wetlands Implementation in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Boukalová¹,

Tìšitel²,

Gurung³

2021

Int. J. EI

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Constructed wetlands can be considered as a strategic nature-based wastewater treatment technology for Nepal, where the discharge of untreated wastewater into rivers, lakes or any other water body is a common practice and where the big wastewater treatment plants are not well functioning or are not sufficiently used. The successful implementation of constructed wetlands in Nepal is conditioned by many factors, which should be considered. Legislation is weak and hygienic standards are low; therefore, wastewater treatment is usually not a priority for city governments and private or public institutions, as well as for communities themselves. Under these circumstances, it is not an exception that it might be difficult to convince people to pay for constructed wetlands implementation and maintenance. Our paper discusses conditions influencing the applicability of constructed wetlands in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, by empirically analysing the best and bad practices of their application. The focus is paid to present the social situation and history of analysed communities and organisations. Implementation of constructed wetlands for schools is discussed as a special case, as well as the change of the communities' approach towards constructed wetlands' importance, as it appeared during the pandemic situation of COVID-19 in 2020.

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