The use of artificial wetlands and floating islands made of plants to purify waste water in tourist spots should also be applied to lakes or reservoirs that are jeopardized by pollution, according to the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA).
Since last year, the EPA has financed a pioneering trial project set up by the Hualien County Government.
The project uses ecological methods to purify waste water from residential areas near the Liyutan Reservoir, a tourist area. According to the EPA, the trial aims to use artificial wetlands and artificial floating islands of aquatic plants to purify sewage discharged into the reservoir. It is intended to mitigate eutrophication, a natural process by which lakes, reservoirs, and rivers become excessively enriched with nutrients. It can cause such things as algae blooms, which deprive water of oxygen when they later die off and decay.
PHOTO: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ADMINISTRATION
Chen Shyh-wei (
The artificial swamp that has been created near Liyutan Reservoir covers only 0.354 hectares, and absorbs sewage expelled from hotels, residences and stores.
Chen said that the wetland can filter as much as 350m3 of sewage per day.
"Phosphorus, ammonia, nitrogen and other chemicals can be filtered through the process," Chen said.
Both nitrogen and phosphorus contribute to eutrophication, a common phenomenon observed in aging reservoirs connected to polluted rivers in Taiwan.
In addition, at the Liyutan Reservoir, artificial floating islands, or floating networks of aquatic plants, are built to pull pollutants out of the water.
"Roots of certain plants absorb nitrogen and phosphorous efficiently. We take advantage of them to purify water," Chen told the Taipei Times.
At the reservoir, the floating islands cover a total area of about 100m2 and treat about 40m3 of waste water per day.
Chen said that as sewer systems and sewage treatment facilities remain insufficient in some areas, constructing artificial wetlands and floating islands might be a good way to mitigate water pollution in rivers and lakes.
Chen said that the successful trials at Liyutan have improved tourism.
During the Lunar New Year holidays last month, the reservoir attracted 130,000 tourists -- a record high. The tourists were educated about improved water quality by seeing the functioning of the artificial wetlands and floating islands.
Chen said other countries, such as Japan, have had success in this area as well.
By the end of this year, the area covered by the floating islands will be doubled and the artificial wetlands will also be expanded.
The EPA plans to discuss with the Water Resources Agency the use of similar measures to address eutrophication problems at aging reservoirs, in an effort to preserve sources of fresh drinking water.
Additionally, the ecologically friendly methods can be applied to other scenic areas with rivers or lakes.
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