SASWMP

Southern Arava Sustainable Waste Management Plan

Lotan Constructed Wetlands and Ecological- educational Bird Park 

The wetlands were  built as  part of an ecological- educational Bird Park  in conjunction with the Jewish National Fund and the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel/Bird Life International. It  fulfills three main aims:

Þ Ending of current sewage disposal pollution of the land and aquifer, which is an aesthetic and olifactory nuisance as well as an environmental hazard.

Þ Built  as the heart of a planned ecological – educational Bird Park.

Þ Serving as an example of extensive wetlands in Arava Valley for other neighboring communities and as a test ground for appropriate plants and building methods to our desert climate.

The Kibbutz Lotan constructed wetland project is worthy of attention because of the technical aspects of the sewage treatment system as well as distinctive elements associated with this particular system:

Testing of the System - The constructed wetlands (CW) system combines a number of Horizontal - Subsurface Flow System (SFS) used predominantly in Europe with a final Free Water Surface System (FWS) “polishing pond” used more commonly in the United States. A succession of specific vegetation was  chosen according to the characteristics of the sewage including salinity, the climate and conditions of the wetland location.

The treated water will be utilized completely in a Bird Park that will be built along with the CW within the kibbutz property line. The plan, based on experience gained in the Kibbutz Lotan Bird Reserve and in its Educational Eco-Park, includes open bodies of water for aquatic   fowl and a selection of vegetation-like alfalfa which can be grown yearlong.  In addition to the ecological niche that the CW vegetation provides, when organically grown it contains no pesticides that affect the migratory bird’s health and reproductive proficiency.   The decision to incorporate the CW as an intricate component of a birdwatching-tourism facility will showcase the system so to acquire public acceptance towards impending utilization in other communities.

Straw Separator in use

Construction -

Separation

 tank

CW pool

Piping and  gravel layer

Under layer– sealant  layer