Commissioned: S.i.f.a. ScpA
Period: 2005 - 2008
Country: Italia
Planning of a 100 hectare phytoremediation facility or constructed wetland (one of the largest if not the largest is Europe) on “Cassa di Colmata A” (a manmade island created with canal excavation materials) as a final treatment step for sewage processed at the Fusina wastewater treatment plant (400,000 p.e.). The project, which Thetis designed in collaboration with the American company CH2MHill, is part of the “Plan for pollution prevention and improvement of the water quality in the catchment basin that drains directly into the Venice Lagoon” (2000 Master Plan), which was also produced by Thetis on behalf of the Region of Veneto and represents the benchmark document for planning clean-up projects in the regional jurisdiction.Having completed the planning phase, Thetis is now participating in the construction supervision to provide the necessary environmental expertise for ensuring the highest quality execution of the work.
The surface-flow wetland, divided into 6 cells, will have alternating deep zones and water meadow zones, to ensure uniform flow and adequate transversal mixing of the waters. In addition, these planning decisions combined with the planting of typical wetland vegetation will lead to the production of different aquatic habitats that will be able to host diverse fauna. The project therefore provides for the construction of small islands in the deep zones that will act as refuge areas for wildlife.
In addition to the abovementioned ecological and environmental benefits, the constructed wetland will offer recreational and educational opportunities resulting from the construction of a visitors centre with an attached pilot plant in reduced scale to be used for demonstrations, as well as guided paths featuring observation towers and footbridges over some of the areas of water. The facility is expected to be completed in the spring of 2011, which reflects the two years needed to ensure sufficient growth of the vegetation.
