DS#3 - "Zemgale Region" (Latvia)
The case study in 5 minutes
Location
The demonstration site, the Zemgale region, is located in the central part of Latvia.
Description of the area
- Biogeographical region: Boreal
- Landscape context: rural/agricultural area
- Area Coverage: ~10 742 km² (16.6 % of Latvia)
- Land Use & Demography: Predominantly intensive farming; low population density
- Hydrology: Flat terrain crisscrossed by a dense river network
Climatic Challenges
Planned activities
Operational constructed wetland for treatment of diffuse pollution from agricultural fields:
• Baseline assessment
• Water sampling/ analysis
• Counting of species
• Adjusting operational conditions, monitoring
• Estimating effects & results
Preparatory actions and roadmap on the potential for constructed wetland on treatment of pollution from point sources
• Mapping pollution sources
• Water sampling analyses for baseline, site selection
• Design and constructed wetland for livestock facility and small settlement
• Establishment of constructed wetlands
• Adjusting operational conditions
Systemic and targeted planning for Nature Based-Solutions in the region:
• Estimation of the problematic areas in need for NBS, geographical scope & locations
• Demonstrating the process for NBS implementation
• Plan/feasibility study for potential financing the application
Progress
Constructed wetlands – a nature-based solution selected for DS#3 Zemgale, Latvia
At DS #3 in Zemgale, Latvia, constructed wetlands are the selected as a Nature-Based Solution for treatment of diffuse pollution from agricultural fields, point-source pollution from livestock facilities, and wastewater treatment plants from small settlements to reduce nutrient losses and diminish eutrophication of water bodies along with maintenance of biodiversity and flood risk mitigation.
In the first year and the beginning of the second year, the project team worked on laying the foundation to demonstrate the practical applications and benefits of constructed wetlands to various stakeholders in the Zemgale region.
The main achievements of this period include:
- Pilot site identification: Potential locations suitable for implementation of constructed wetlands to treat wastewater from small settlements and livestock facilities were identified and shortlisted.
- Site visits and stakeholder engagement: During these visits, water samples were collected, and preliminary meetings were held with local stakeholders to introduce the project, gather initial information, and assess baseline environmental and technical conditions.
of Aizkraukle municipality.
Ambition
Ambition during the project
Increase awareness among stakeholders involved in water management about the potential of constructed wetlands to reduce nutrient losses to water bodies, meanwhile minimizing undesirable consequences of drought and flooding conditions and improving biodiversity. The DS shall increase the acceptance of constructed wetlands as a relevant wastewater treatment solution among the public and stakeholders involved in water management and decision-making processes. It shall also facilitate financial support for broader implementation of this solution. This ambition will be achieved through dissemination of the project results in public events with stakeholders and meetings with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development,
Selection of suitable locations for the implementation of constructed wetlands to treat municipal wastewater from small settlements and storm water and/or processing wastewater from livestock facilities. The ambition will be achieved by sharing the monitoring results and experiences from already existing constructed wetlands and by creating a list of criteria that can be applied to select suitable locations for implementation of constructed wetlands to treat wastewater leaving municipal WWTPs and livestock facilities and runoff from agricultural areas,
Assess the performance of constructed wetlands in the light of climate impacts and hazards by applying modelling tools.
Ambition after the project
The expectation after the project is to achieve large scale implementation of NBS and subsequent improvement of the water quality and the increase of biodiversity. Identification of areas (sites) for potential establishment of constructed wetlands in the region shall enhance wider uptake of constructed wetlands.
Questions
Ever wondered how nature can help us tackle climate change?
NBS are “Solutions inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience.”
European Commission, 2015.
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Involved partners
