Solution for Water Pollution

Biological Wastewater Treatment Approach

Introduction

Indus Earth Trust implement ‘’ Solution of Water Pollution’’ project with financial support of Coca-Cola Foundation, which aims to construct the biological wastewater treatment plant. Treated water will be used to develop the grassy field of the cricket and football ground, tree plantation and surplus treated water will throw into Gharo creek for the betterment of marine life and reduction of liquid pollution in Gharo creek. Indus Earth Trust strongly believe on purity of wastewater and safe reuse of it, restores and maintains oceans, watersheds, and their aquatic ecosystems to protect human health, support economic and recreational activities, and provide healthy habitat for fish, plants and wildlife. Whereas the marine ecosystem gets our attention for different reasons, the fact remains that consistent increase in the level of pollutants has degraded water bodies across the world to levels of irreparable damage. Indus Earth Trust environment conscious organization engaged in activities compatible with the objectives of project, construction of biological wastewater treatment plant under Solution of Water Pollution Project at Gharo Town, Thatta, Sindh, Pakistan.

Wastewater treatment plant is providing the treated and cleaned water that will use for developing football and cricket grounds with grassy field, tree plantation around the grounds and establish grassy stadium. Publicly accessible with popular attractions such as museums, historic buildings and recreation centers, Green Parks projects provide great opportunities for families, students, and passersby to learn about the important role of wastewater management in Gharo Town.

In addition, improving the health of creeks and rivers, wastewater management can help improve air quality, alleviate the urban heat island effect by reducing air temperatures, and provide free outdoor space for recreation. There are four clubs of football playing regularly and 10 cricket clubs playing on daily basis. Four to five tournaments will be played in year of different games. Sports loving youth living in Gharo town, but there is no proper facility of grassy sports ground, no stadium, no chairs.

Hiring of Consultant

Indus Earth Trust hired consultant who is one of the best and pioneer of wetland construction in Sindh province. Prime responsibility of consultant prepares the design and drawing, bill of quantities and oversee the whole process of construction of wastewater treatment (Biological) plant. Consultant and IET team presented ‘’ Solution of Water Pollution’’ project to chief engineer, public health engineering department of Sindh principally PHED department grant NOC for the adaptation of the existing wastewater plant at Gharo Town.

Youth Training

Training of Youth on Wastewater Treatment Biological Process and Benefits IET has strongly believed in capacity building of the local communities for e.g. local people must be equipped with Skills, knowledge and techniques according to project task and goals. IET design a comprehensive training on process and benefits of wastewater treatment.

Water Sampling

IET social mobilization team took water samples from the wastewater plant Gharo for laboratory tests, these tests will contain the COD and BOD level of water. COD or Chemical Oxygen Demand is the total measurement of all chemicals (organics & in-organics) in the water / waste water; BOD is a measure of, the amount of oxygen that require for the bacteria to degrade the organic components present in water.

Biological Wastewater Treatment process in Constructed Wetland

A constructed wetland or wet park is an artificial wetland, a marsh or swamp created: as new or restored habitat for native and migratory wildlife; for anthropogenic discharge such as wastewater, storm water runoff, or sewage treatment; for land reclamation after mining, refineries, or other ecological disturbances; and as required mitigation for natural wetlands lost to a development. A constructed wetland uses natural geochemical and biological processes in a wetland ecosystem to treat metals, explosives, and other contaminants in groundwater.

Usually, the constructed wetland has three primary components: an impermeable ayer (generally clay), a gravel layer that provides a substrate (i.e., an area that provides nutrients and support) for the root zone, and an above-surface vegetation zone. The impermeable layer prevents infiltration of wastes down into lower aquifers. The gravel layer and root zone is where water flows and bioremediation and de-nitrification take place. The above ground vegetative layer contains the plant material. Both aerobic and anaerobic systems (i.e., systems with and without oxygen) exist within the wetland, and these can be divided into separate cells. Groundwater is either pumped or allowed to naturally flow through the wetland.

The anaerobic cell uses plants in concert with natural microbes to degrade the contaminant. The aerobic cell further improves water quality through continued exposure to the plants and the movement of water between cell compartments. Straw, manure or compost is used, with little or no soil, in wetlands constructed primarily for the removal of metals. For wetlands constructed to treat explosives contaminated water, certain plant species are used to support degradation. The process of using plants to break down contaminants is also referred to as phytoremediation.

Constructed wetlands have most commonly been used in wastewater treatment to control organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. The wetland process is also used for controlling trace metals and other toxic materials in groundwater. Most experimental work is geared towards groundwater contaminated with explosives such as trinitrotoluene (TNT), royal demolition explosive (RDX), and high melt explosive (HMX), as well as perchlorate and nitrates.