Constructed wetlands are marshes built to treat contaminated water. Compared to conventional treatment methods, they tend to be simple, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly. These artificial wetlands also provide food and habitat for wildlife and create pleasant landscapes.

This technology holds a great promise for application in Albania, but for the moment the country lacks the know-how and the example of viable projects. The project has been developed and is going to be financed and implemented in collaboration with the ArtGold programme of UNDP-Albania. The technical oversight is being provided by IDEASS http://www.ideassonline.org through Regional Agency for the Environmental Protection of Tuscany (ARPAT) http://www.arpat.toscana.it/

The project has been conceived as a pilot system and school of learning for the Albanian experts, technicians and authorities. It will bring in Italian guest lecturers that will speak to the students of the Environmental Engineering faculty in Tirana on the topic and will also be used as a demonstration case during lectures of Wastewater Treatment course during the spring semester in this faculty.

The depurated waters coming from the constructed wetland system will be collected, by means of gravity, in a ?free water system? that will be organized as a small didactical botanic garden with samples of local flora and reproducing the Narta Lagoon natural environment. The rainwater will be also utilized: from the school?s roof, the rainwater will be collected into a tank, allowing for the system maintenance during the dry period of the year. These waters will be circulated to the system by means of a solar-energy pump.

The whole green area of the school as well as the common spaces will be reorganized and rehabilitated. Finally, the school will be equipped with computers, printers and internet connection that will allow to carry on didactical activity and to publish self-made environmental awareness material. During the project, cultural and environmental activities will be realized, as training courses, concerts and environmental days, in collaboration the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Tuscany (ARPAT) and with other scientific and cultural organizations.