Description

Growth of water hyacinth in ponds is a long-lasting problem, especially with those that receive sewage water.

Several unsuccessful attempts were made to get rid of water hyacinth in the ponds in Ooty and Coimbatore.

A simple and inexpensive management plan is outlined here where water hyacinth growth is allowed in one part of or, separte nearby pond, where all nutrients are consumed by this plant, and then the treated water is let down to the main pond.

The advantages of treating sewage with water hyacinth are many: 1) water hyacinth may be utilized for many other applications viz., hyacinth biomass can be utilized as a substrate for mushrooms, manure, biomass gassification and, biogas production; 2) the sewage water is decontaminated with respect to heavy metals and nutrients; 3) cost of sewage treattment is reduced; 4) this is a sustainable treatment system and generates revenue.