Abstract
Wetland system is widely accepted as one of natural water purification systems around the world for nonpoint sources pollution control. Constructed wetlands have become a popular technology for treating contaminated surface and waste water. In this study, the field experiment to reduce nonpoint source pollution loadings from polluted stream waters using wetland system was performed from June 2002 to March 2004. Four wetlands were used and the size of each one was 0.8ha. Water of Dangjin stream flowing into Seokmun estuarine reservoir was pumped into wetlands. Inflow and hydraulic residence time of the system was 500 $m^3$/day∼1,500 $m^3$/day, 2∼5 days, respectively. After 2 year operation, plant-coverage of the wetlauds was about 70% from bare soil surface at initial stage . Average water quality of the influent was $BOD_5$ 4.17 mg/L, TSS 18.45 mg/L, T-N 4.32 mg/L, and T-P 0.30 mg/L. The average removal rate of $BOD_5$, TSS, T-N and T-P during the study period was 5.6%, 46.6%, 45.7%, and 54.8%, respectively. Organic ($BOD_5$) removal rate was low and the reason might be low influent concentration. Wetland removal rate of T-P was about 10% higher than T-N. Performance of the experimental system was compared with existing data base (NADB), and it was within the range of general system performance. Overall, the wetland system was found to be adequate for treating polluted water stream with stable removal efficiency even during the winter period. Most of the nonpoint source pollutions from watershed are transported by streams or ditches, and they could be controled by constructed wetland system before entering the lake or reservoir.
