SWAMP – Sustainable water systems for tourism facilities

SWAMP is a project under the Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development Programme of the 5th Framework Programme.

The project aimed at developing economically feasible and technically satisfying wastewater treatment for tourism facilities with seasonal fluctuation using an integrated approach comprising sustainable water management, constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment and reclamation of the treated effluent.

It developed sustainable water management concepts and tested them at 16 selected sites in five European countries: Italy, Austria, Germany, Lithuania and Latvia. This allows to run tests at different types of sites (camping sites, tourist farms, mountain shelters etc.) in different climate zones (Atlantic, continental, Mediterranean and mountainous). At these sites, pilot constructed wetlands were built to adjust the system to the special requirements of each tourism facilities. Tests on the pilot plants were run and monitored to develop guidelines for the design, construction and operation of such plants in the future. The tests were also used to check the hygienic efficiency of constructed wetlands. The design principles to be developed took into consideration further disposal or reuse of the treated effluent, especially irrigation.

The results are compiled into design and operation guidelines, which were initially be prepared at the European level and then adapted for each participating country.

Dissemination of the results was planned through the partner network and by an information campaign developed by SWAMP.