Abstract

Unplanned urbanisation leads to haphazard growth altering the local ecology, hydrology and environment. Sewage generated in urban households is either untreated or partially treated, which is finally let into water bodies through trunk sewers and storm water network. Although sustained inflow of sewage into water bodies has maintained the water levels in the system of interconnected lakes but it has also contributed to the contamination of surface as well as groundwater sources. This study explores the feasibility of bioremediation path to treat wastewater for reuse and mitigate the water crisis in the city. Innovative path of wastewater bioremediation includes integrated wetlands system consisting sewage treatment plant, constructed wetlands (with location specific macrophytes) and algal pond integrated with a lake. Integration of the conventional treatment system with wetlands [consisting of reed bed (with typha etc.) and algal pond] would help in the complete removal of nutrients in the cost effective way.

Keywords: Algae. Bioremediation. Nutrient Removal. Urbanisation