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Conference
2006
Plants as infrastructure
Abstract:
Botanical
Wastewater Treatment Systems - Green Infrastructure for Peri-urban
Areas on Waiheke Island
TIM
RIMMER
Most households on the
island have their own on-site wastewater system and for various
reasons centralised reticulation is viewed as an unreasonable and
unwanted option by the majority of residents. Effective on-site
treatment of used water is therefore critical in maintaining public
health and the Island's ecosystems.
With growing awareness
for the need to implement ecologically sustainable practices, more
and more people are looking to the integration of on-site treatment
and landscaping. In its most common form this generally involves
the use of technical treatment plants pushing effl uent into drip
lines for irrigation of gardens.
Another approach involves
the use of a Botanical Wastewater Treatment System. Resulting effl
uent is treated to a high standard with a relatively low energy
and resource use footprint. In addition, such a system can be adapted
to suit most existing land conditions, utilised to provide wetland
features to a garden, enhance biodiversity as well as provide treated
water for irrigation and other potential uses.
This paper highlights
several examples from Waiheke. Two systems are in operation: one
since 1999, the other since 2004. Two more are in the planning stage.
Another system is under construction in the Clevedon Area.
We believe these green
systems showcase the integration of plants as infrastructure with
appealing landscaping. They are versatile in application, involve
low maintenance - mainly weeding - and present themselves as desirable
garden features that provide a particular ecological niche.
Botanical Wastewater
Treatment Systems deserve full acceptance by regional and local
authorities.
Co Authors:
Daphne Mitten: NZILA & Unitec, Carrington Rd, Mt Albert,
Auckland.
Email: daphnemitten@paradise.net.nz
Ph: 09 372 9272.
Uli Rambeck: Pure
by Plants, 35 Ridge Rd, Waiheke Is.
Email: ulir@clear.net.nz
Ph/fax: 09-372 9565.
Tim Rimmer: Unitec,
Carrington Rd, Mt Albert, Auckland.
Email: timrim@ihug.co.nz or trimmer@unitec.ac.nz
Ph/fax: 09 372 9336.
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