PLANT SPECIES IN A TWO-YEAR-OLD FREE WATER SURFACE CONSTRUCTED WETLAND TREATING DOMESTIC WASTEWATER IN THE ISLAND OF CRETE

ABSTRACT

A free water surface wetland treating domestic wastewater for the village of Pompia in Southern Crete was constructed in early 1999 and became operational on September 1st of the same year. The total surface area of the wetland was 5700 m², designed for 1200 people equivalent. Arundo donax (giant reed) was used for the vegetation of the bed. Approximately 4–6 plants were introduced per square meter. Two years later the wetland was well covered with plants. The Arundo donax was developed as the dominant specie covering more than 95% of the wetland's surface, reaching its maximum developing potential in both density (70–90 plants per m²) and size (5–7 m). More than 30 other plants were identified most of them in the banks of the wetland.

Keywords:

• Free water surface
• Constructed wetland
• Plants species
• Crete
• Arundo donax
• Typha domingensis

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We thank the Director of Eastern Crete Development Organization Mr. G. Staridas for releasing all the available data for the construction of Pompia's wetland and Mr. N. Kefalakis for his help in interpreting them.