Application of large-scale integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland in Beijing Olympic forest park: design, operation and performance

This paper deals with the design, purification performance and public questionnaire of the integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland (IVCW) system built in Beijing Olympic Forest Park (BOFP). This IVCW system of 45 000 m2 has been operated to treat reclaimed wastewater and circulated lake water from Aohai lake. The first 6-month monitoring results in 2008 indicated that IVCW showed a statistically significant removal of TP and OP from reclaimed water and the removal of BOD5 from circulated lake water from Aohai lake. The questionnaire of Willingness To Pay (WTP) by visitors to the BOFP showed that 98.1% of the respondents were in favour of the construction of the wetland and approved the performance of IVCW. More importantly, during the periods of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, the IVCW system helped to provide amenable surroundings for sight-seeing athletes and audiences, as well as tourists. The IVCW also helped to embody the concept of Harmony Between Human and Nature, a theme of the Olympics Games. Using IVCW for treating the reclaimed wastewater as recharge provides an innovative, affordable and practical way for northern China to treat municipal wastewaters.