Constructed Wetlands to Face Water Scarcity and Water Pollution Risks: Learning from Farmers’ Perception in Alicante, Spain

Abstract

Treated wastewater is constantly produced and relatively unaffected by climatic conditions, while Constructed Wetlands (CWs) are recognized as green technology and a cost-effective alternative to improve treated wastewater quality standards. This paper analyses how farmers consider (1) treated wastewater to face water scarcity risk and (2) CW as mechanisms to face agricultural water pollution in a climate change adaptation context. A survey about climate change perception and adaptation measures was answered by 177 farmers from two irrigation communities near El Hondo coastal wetland and the Santa Pola saltmarshes, both perceived as natural-constructed systems in Alicante, southern Spain. Results highlighted how, even with poor-quality standards, treated wastewater is considered a non-riskier measure and more reliable option when addressing climate change impacts. Overall, physical water harvesting (such as CWs) is the favorite choice when investing in water technologies, being perceived as the best option for users of treated wastewater and those concerned about water quality standards. Consequently, CWs were recognized as mechanisms to increase water supply and reduce water pollution. Policy-makers and water managers can use these learnings from farmers’ experience to identify the main barriers and benefits of using treated wastewater and CWs to address water scarcity and water pollution risks.

Long-Term Performance of a Hybrid-Flow Constructed Wetlands System for Urban Wastewater Treatment in Caldera de Tirajana (Santa Lucía, Gran Canaria, Spain)

“…The results are also comparable and similar to the data that were provided by studies such as [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ], with values ranging for COD from 80.83 to 113.82 mg/L, for BOD 5 from 21.27 to 57.32 mg/L, for TSS from 25.89 to 64.63 mg/L, for NT from 17.17 to 45.72 mg/L, and for NH 4 from 30.11 to 34.23 mg/L, respectively.…”

Life cycle cost assessment and economic analysis of a decentralized wastewater treatment to achieve water sustainability within the framework of circular economy

“…One of the most extended and consolidated decentralized technologies are NBS such as CW, which, apart from strictly meeting chemical and physical standards for water reuse, require low energy, are cost-effective, easily operational and low maintenance (Corbella et al, 2017;Ricart et al, 2021;Cao et al, 2021). Since the construction of the first CW in 1974, the technology of these artificial engineered wetlands has been developing to make them desirable and efficient in the task of treating wastewater physically, chemically, and biologically which has expanded their use and implementation worldwide (Zhang et al, 2021).…”

Adaptation strategies for climate change impacts on water quality: a systematic review of the literature

“…They anticipate that a 15% reduction in imperviousness would be sufficient to prevent the negative impacts of future climate changes. Magee et al (2019) and Ricart & Rico-Amoros (2021) recommend the construction of wetlands to treat wastewater as an alternative to wastewater treatment plants (grey infrastructure). Constructed wetlands are a cost-effective strategy for protecting water quality, with the additional benefits of flood risk mitigation, stormwater management, and additional water supply.…”

“…Constructed wetlands are a cost-effective strategy for protecting water quality, with the additional benefits of flood risk mitigation, stormwater management, and additional water supply. Depending on their design, they can also provide recreation, aesthetic values, and landscaping (Ricart & Rico-Amoros 2021).…”