Reeds (Phragmites communis) are used to treat wastewater.

Nhan Ai hospital specialises in taking care of AIDS patients. With around 800 patients, one requiring 100-200l of water per day, the hospital discharges a huge volume of waste water per day into Thac Mo lake. Meanwhile, this lake is a source of water for many people.

In the past, waste water from the hospital was treated mechanically in a big tank before being discharged into the lake. Nowadays, the hospital uses reeds (Phragmites communis) to treat the water.

According to scientists, this kind of reed can live in harsh weather and it is very suitable to Vietnamese weather. The tree’s roots can help disintegrate organic substances and absorb heavy metals in medical waste water.

Waste water is processed in the following procedures: water is contained in a tank, which has reeds planted in sandy soil. Waste water will be treated by reed roots before going through a filter to pipes and then to the lake.

Tests show that after being treated in this way, water reaches standards for being discharged into the environment. This method doesn’t create mud, bad smell or noise. Equipment can be employed for 75 years. The effect is much more economic than using chemicals.

This method has been applied in some countries in the world, for example Germany and Switzerland. Nhan Ai is the first hospital in Vietnam using it.

This method will be used at other hospitals in the near future.

VietNamNet/NLD