Root Zone-Based Water Purification Technology - March 2004

Root Zone-Based Water Purification Technology - March 2004

The root zone-based purification technology is particularly adopted in rural areas of France, and is recognized as a low-cost wastewater treatment method suitable for municipalities with small populations. This technique uses nitrogen-fixing microorganisms such as Azotobacter and Rhizobium found in the plant's root zone, functioning as a filter to remove organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Specifically, it has been introduced in environmental conservation areas like the Provence region in southern France and the Ruhr River basin, showing significant results in preventing eutrophication of water bodies.

This technology has a daily wastewater treatment capacity of approximately 1,000 cubic meters and reduces energy consumption by about 30% compared to conventional chemical treatments. Additionally, CO2 emissions are suppressed, making it highly regarded as a sustainable solution.

An example of its implementation is in a purification facility operated by Veolia Environnement, where this technology is applied to treat wastewater, reducing maintenance costs by around 20% compared to conventional methods. The same technology has also been adopted in Bavaria, Germany, contributing to forest region water source protection.

This technology is expected to expand its use in areas where excess nitrogen and phosphorus pose significant environmental problems, making it an important part of environmental preservation efforts.