What Are the Main Options for Applying the Multiple-Use Water Services Paradigm? - Rethinking Infrastructure Design for Multi-Use Water Services - page 43

What Is a Constructed Wetland? Constructed wetlands are arti cial

treatment systems that mimic the physical, chemical and biological func-
tioning of natural wetlands in order to remove pollutants from storm water.
The main processes involved are physical detention and

filtration of sus-
pended solids and dissolved pollutants as well as biological and chemical
uptake by the wetland vegetation. According to US EPA, constructed wet-
lands are among the most effective measures to remove contaminants from
storm water and present high range of applicability, excluding highly ur-
banised areas and arid climates.
Moreover, they can increase aesthetics and provide habitat to several eco-
systems. Careful consideration must be integrated into the design before
constructing a wetland to manage signi cant issues such as the necessity of a

large open space, the undesired presence of mosquitos and possible distur-
bance of the natural environment.

Storm water Wetland in Philadelphia (Source http://www.phillywatersheds.
org )

8 Integrating Multiple-Use Perspectives

The integration of multiple-use perspective targets the optimal synergies between
the aforementioned interventions and techniques with the purpose of delivering
multiple bene

ts, reproducing the natural pre-development process to the best
possible degree and boosting the ecosystem services. For example, combining
green roofs with urban agriculture and rainwater harvesting can provide storage and
peak flow reduction while increasing food provision, aesthetics and leisure,

reducing energy consumption and mitigating the heat island effect. Key to a con-
crete integration is planning and governance. To achieve the desired results urban
planning must endorse the blue-green thinking paradigm, while an appropriate
institutional setting must be in place to act as an enabling support environment.