TECHNICAL PAPERS
Jun 1, 1995

Potential for Greater Use of Wetlands for Waste Treatment in Northern Canada

Publication: Journal of Cold Regions Engineering
Volume 9, Issue 2

Abstract

The use of wetlands for low-cost and energy-efficient treatment of municipal wastewater is not a new process. In the Northwest Territories, Canada, wetlands have not been used much for wastewater treatment due to the lack of adequate design criteria. As a first step toward greater use, the current status of technology for using wetlands for wastewater treatment has been reviewed. The potential for use of wetlands for municipal wastewater treatment in the Northwest Territories is evaluated. At present, the design of wetland systems for municipal wastewater treatment is based on an empirical approach. There are only a few design models available, which have been tested with limited southern data. The critical design parameter for wetland systems is the hydraulic loading rate, while the organic loading rate is used as a check to ensure that aerobic conditions prevail in the wetland system.

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Go to Journal of Cold Regions Engineering
Journal of Cold Regions Engineering
Volume 9Issue 2June 1995
Pages: 75 - 88

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Published online: Jun 1, 1995
Published in print: Jun 1995

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Authors

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Isaac A. Doku
Sanitary Engr., Training Network Ctr., Dept. of Civ. Engrg., Univ. of Sci. and Technol., Kumasi, Ghana.
Gary W. Heinke
Dir., Inst. for Envir. Studies, Hong Kong Univ. of Sci. and Technol., Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong; formerly Prof. and Dean, Fac. of Appl. Sci. and Engrg., Univ. of Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A4, Canada.

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