Performance of an innovative FWS constructed wetland in Crete, Greece.

Pompia is an ancient name of a small community in Messara valley, which is the main agricultural area, in central Crete. The constructed wetland in Pompia is a free water surface (FWS) system, for treating the wastewater of the local community of 1,200 p.e. That wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) is a pilot plant but it is simple, safe, innovative, and environmentally friendly. The WWTP was funded by the Region of Crete. The Eastern Crete Development Organization was responsible for the design, supervision, management, and initial operation. The project was completed in August 1999, and has been under operation since then. The effluent is considered to be equivalent to tertiary treated municipal wastewater, and it will be used to irrigate olive orchards. The general sense for a visitor is that the FWS system operates like a natural marsh and a habitat of birds and wild animals. In addition, very high removal rates for BOD5, COD, TSS, TKN, TP, TC, and FC have been obtained.