Constructed Wetlands as Alternative to Conventional Wastewater Treatment: The Case of Gimboki, Mutare

Constructed wetlands have great potential as an alternative to conventional sewage treatment facilities. Constructed wetlands mimic the natural process to treat polluted water. Developing countries such as Zimbabwe should explore the potential benefits of such systems considering their cost-effectiveness, energy-saving, high water treatment efficiency, surrounding environment, and ease of operation and maintenance. Therefore, this research tried to assess the potential of constructed wetlands as an alternative to the Gimboki Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Mutare, Zimbabwe. In this chapter, the types of constructed wetlands are explored and how they are operated is reviewed. Then the potential benefits of constructed wetlands are studied. An expert interview was carried out with key informants from the Environmental Management Agency and Local Authority regarding the potential of constructed wetlands as an alternative treatment approach to the Gimboki Wastewater Treatment Plant, and this is discussed. The opinion of the Department of Physical Planning was also sought on whether the existing land-use policy would allow constructed wetlands to be included. The chapter demonstrates that the Gimboki WWTP faces many challenges and poor quality of treated wastewater. Therefore, it is recommended that constructed wetland technology be explored as an alternative treatment process. The chapter recommends forming a strong partnership among institutions and creating education campaigns and training programmes on the constructed wetland technology.