A case study of uptake of heavy metals in the root zone of the natural reed beds of Msimbazi stream Dar es Salaam.

Knowledge and experience of the use of wetlands to treat various forms of wastewater and to control pollution of natural waters has reached the stage where it can be confidently recommended as the best option in certain situation. Because of potential advantages which are offered by reed beds in terms of construction and operating costs, the projected treatment efficiency and the fact that reed beds would provide an environmentally attractive options in terms of its location next to an SSSI (site of special scientific interest), serious consideration has been given to the replacement of the entire conventional system by a Reed Bed Treatment System. Majority of the reed bed treatment systems have been designed for secondary and tertiary treatment of domestic wastewaters from small and medium sized communities. Design parameters can be optimised for use in developing world, where the quality of the final effluent takes priority over the need for efficient use of time and space. There has been less experience with wetland systems and the documentation is inferior and therefore, a diversity of potential application exist. Several different configurations and operational strategies continue to be applied. This dissertation is a compilation of a critical survey work on reed bed treatment system with an experimental verification of the natural wetland of Msimbazi stream, Dar es Salaam treatment efficiency. It is hoped that this dissertation would provide useful guide to research workers in developing countries and hot climates in developing reed bed treatment systems in their countries.