Topic outline

  • Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment

    Credit: 5 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    The constructed wetland is a shallow, earthen impoundment containing hydrophytic vegetation designed to treat both point and nonpoint sources of water pollution. Its principal physical components include the aquatic vegetation, substrate for plant and microbial growth, the basin itself, associated structural devices for water management, and the water that flows through the system. The treatment mechanisms are a complex mix of physical, chemical, and biological processes.

    This course focuses specifically on constructed wetlands used to treat wastewater from confined livestock operations. It addresses the types of waste treatment wetlands, treatment processes, role of vegetation, benefits and concerns, planning considerations, design procedures, and operation and maintenance requirements.

    Topics:

    • Introduction to Constructed Wetlands
    • Surface and Subsurface Flow Wetlands
    • Floating Aquatic Plant Systems
    • Benefits of surface flow wetlands for Animal Waste Control
    • Nutrients Reductions, Odor Control
    • Water Quality Improvement, Wildlife Enhancement, Aesthetics
    • Biochemical Conversions, Accretion, Settling/Filtration, Volatilization
    • Soil Interaction, Evapotranspiration, Nutrient Uptake
    • Types of Aquatic and Wetland Plants, Emergent Herbaceous Plants
    • Planning for a Constructed Wetland System
    • Pretreatment, Wastewater Characterization, Site Evaluation
    • Hydrologic and Climatologic Data
    • Operations, Management and Maintenance of Constructed Wetlands
    • Wastewater Storage
    • Designing for Phosphorus removal
    • Layout and Configurations
    • Embankments, Liners, Inlet/Outlet Structures

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion

    Intended Audience: This course is intended for Environmental, Civil, Water Resources, Construction, Geotechnical, and other engineers whose job description requires a general knowledge of the planning and construction of man-made wetlands for the purpose of water pollution control and management.
    Publication Source: USDA (Natural Resources Conservation Service)

    Donald Parnell, PE

    • Topic 1