WASTEWATER TREATMENT OF LANDFILL LEACHATE USING DESIGN

CONSTRUCTED WETLAND

Norhashima Binti Abd Manaf

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Landscape Architecture Department,
AB070164
 CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

Nowadays, most of countries are facing environment and health problem

which is the effect of various human activities. There are some important elements
require for human to keep on living which include water. Water includes in the
ecosystem of an environment. Besides, sustainable environment is a new concept
where it concern on the ecology, social as well as economy in developing an area.
Hence, in order to sustain good ecosystem of an environment, water need to be secure
from any pollutions or disturbances which may leads to ecosystem disturbance.
Most of countries from all over the world have landfill areas including
Malaysia. Unfortunately, these landfill sites or waste land sites can cause pollution of
surface waters as well as groundwater. The leachate from the landfill may migrate and
contaminate the surface waters and groundwater. It will have big impact on aquatic
ecosystem and especially human health. (Mulamoottil, 1998)
Wastewater from landfill leachate is refer to water which had been affected in
its quality by anthropogenic influence which comprised of liquid waste discharge by
domestic residences, commercial properties, industries or agriculture. There are many
types of method used to treat wastewater. It includes the method of Constructed
Wetland (CW). CW is a method where it imitates the characteristics of natural
wetland. Hence, either it is natural wetlands or artificial wetlands, both with their
vegetation, primarily cattail, reeds, and rushes, provide an ideal microenvironment for
the sedimentation, filtration, adsorption and bacterial decomposition of wastewater
constituent (Masbough, 2005). CW can be classified as eco-technology for
wastewater treatment of various type of wastewater based on its characteristics where
it have high plant productivity, large adsorptive surfaces on sediments and plants, an
aerobic-anaerobic interface, and an active microbial population (Mulamoottil, 1998).

1.1.1 Constructed Wetland for sustainable landscape

Basically, CW is mean only for wastewater treatment where it resulted to

rather typical or unattractive industrial-looking treatment facilities on the site.

“In fact, new conventional facilities are extremely difficult to locate and
generally have a negative image. There is now at least belated recognition in some
parts of the country of the importance of both architectural quality and artists in
the process of designing wastewater and other infrastructure projects.”
– Campbell C. S. & Odgen, M., 1999

The statement above derived that constructed wetland should not be limit only
at its main function which is wastewater treatment, but it should also take considering
on the aspects of its attractive architectural design. Hence, the constructed wetland
sustainable characteristics will not focus only at ecological aspect but as well as social
aspect. The concept of sustainability involves the notion that human activity and
technological systems can contribute to the health of the environments and natural
systems from which they draw benefit (Hough, 1990).
1.2 Issues and Problem Statement

The constructed wetlands have the same value as natural wetland where it has
similar characteristics for wastewater treatment which is very crucial for maintaining
our environment. Besides, it also has big potential for developing towards recreation
area.
Unfortunately, either old or new landfill area will produce leachates which
basically formed from infiltrating waters and the solid waste decomposition. This will
be the threat to surface waters and groundwater system where it pollutes with
undesirable substances or contaminants. Furthermore, the aquatic ecosystem will be at
risk because of this problem as well as human health.
There are important issues of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment of
landfill leachate which stated below;
i. Surface waters and groundwater system polluted from the infiltration
of leachate water from landfill where it cause to the ecological disturbances.
ii. Recreating the loss habitat for animal including birds
iii. Designing constructed wetland in consideration of both water
treatment as well as landscape design.

1.3 Research Question

1.3.1 Can constructed wetland contribute to both aspect of

sustainable landscape design which includes the aspect of ecological as
well as social?
1.4 Scope of Study

The wastewater from landfill leachate can cause ecological disturbances.

Hence, treatment is most appropriate to ensure that the problem of ecological
disturbances is not spreading.
This study will be carried within the parameters of:
i. To study the methods of constructed wetlands which is the main tool
for wastewater treatment of the landfill leachate
ii. To study on the restoration of ecological value of the site
iii. To study the design of artificial wetland for recreational, by using
ecological basis in the design.

1.5 Goal and Objectives

1.5.1 Goal

The goal of the study is towards a creation of artificial wetland for the
treatment of landfill leachate in conjunction of developing for recreational
healthy environment for the users as well as recreating the habitat loss.

1.5.2 Objectives

The objectives of the study are as following:

i. To understand the characteristics of constructed wetlands which are the
important elements in any wastewaters treatment
ii. To study on the restoration of ecological aspect of natural and healthy
environment
iii. To help improve the water quality of landfill leachates
iv. To create eco-friendly recreational area of the artificial wetland
1.6 Methodology

The whole study involves the following stages:

Stage 1: Preliminary Study and Literature Review

At this early stage, formulating a research problem of the subject matter based on the
literature review is an important step in the process of identifying the issues and
problems statement related. The problem statement can be identified through the
research findings from the newspaper, magazine, journal or article, whichever that is
related to the wastewater treatment of landfill leachate using constructed wetland.
In the literature review, the data that is related to the independent and
dependent variables has to be collected. It is divided into two parts:
1. Constructed wetland
2. Wastewater treatment of landfill leachate

Stage 2: Case Study

This stage will involve with the comparison of two case studies in order to evaluate
and compare the studies which will determine the existing approaches and develop
new and more practical approach. Several areas will be selected as the purpose of site
survey to study the artificial wetland. The methods of the study will be based on
observation and interviews.

Stage 3: Analysis
Based on the data and information which had been collected, analysis and synthesis is
done to find out the solution of the issues. This stage will involve the comparison of
data. Besides, it will show the relationship between both variables.

Stage 4: Findings and Discussion

This stage will involve with the findings and discussions on the design consideration
based on the approaches from literature review and case study. At the same time it
will contribute into design consideration of artificial wetland which functions as
wastewater treatment as well as recreational purposes.
Stage 5: Conclusion and Recommendation
The final stage is an important part of the study. This stage draws a recommendation
that can be used as basic information and initial idea to form a guideline when
approaching site design and develop artificial wetland for wastewater in real practice.
The overall conclusion summarized the whole study and achievement emerges from
previous study.

1.6.1 Flow of Study

Identification of specific topic

including the issues and problems

Literature review

Independent variable Dependent variable

Data Collection
-Constructed wetland -Wastewater treatment of
Data will gathered
landfill leachate
from case study,
reports, and research
studies

Case study

Analysis on case studies and

reference studies

Findings and Discussion

Conclusion and evaluation

1.1 STUDY OUTLINE

1.2 REFERENCE

1. Peters, R. F. (2001) Eco-resorts: Management and Landscape Planning,

Borneo Tourism Institute, Kota Kinabalu
2. Magee, J. (2005) Sustainable Resort Development; Case Studies from
Australia that makes business sense, Australia
3. Gibbons, J. H. (1992) Science and Technology Issues In Coastal
Tourism, U.S Congress, Office of Technology and Assessment.