In Nepal, hydrologist Soni Pradhanang and her team at The Small Earth Nepal are tackling water pollution in an innovative way—by building floating treatment wetlands (FTWS) out of local trash. These low-cost, trash-based platforms are designed to clean polluted lakes by using plants to absorb contaminants like nitrates, phosphates, and heavy metals. Deployed in polluted waters such as Nagdaha Lake, the system has shown significant reductions in water pollutants while recycling waste materials.
This promising method is also being tested in India and Bangladesh, where water pollution is a critical issue. By using local trash and plants, this affordable solution is helping communities where clean water is scarce.
Read the full article here to learn more about how these trash-based floating wetlands are making a difference in water treatment and sustainability.