‘That's going to attract mosquitoes!’

‘It’s going to attract mosquitoes!’ This is a common fear about the Sanitation Gardens, which use phytopurification to treat wastewater. However, this is not true! Mosquitoes generally look for stagnant water in which to breed, but phytopurification systems are designed to avoid this problem. Thanks to a natural and dynamic process, the water seeps away directly. Not only do these sanitation systems not attract mosquitoes, they also benefit the environment by attracting beneficial insects such as dragonflies, bees and butterflies. Let’s take a look at how these ecological systems really work and why they can be a valuable resource for nature.

Mosquitoes and stagnant water

Sanitation Gardens, which use phytopurification to treat wastewater, often raise questions about their impact on the local environment, particularly with regard to the potential proliferation of mosquitoes. However, it is essential to fully understand how Sanitation Gardens work in order to allay these fears.

Mosquitoes are generally attracted to areas of stagnant water, which provide an ideal habitat for them to lay their eggs. Stagnant water provides a perfect environment for the development of larvae, which quickly evolve into adult mosquitoes. This is why barrels of water, puddles after rain or uncovered containers in the garden can become mosquito breeding grounds if they are not managed properly. However, a Sanitation Garden works differently.

How Sanitation Gardens work

Sanitation Gardens use phytopurification to treat wastewater. Phytopurification is a set of natural techniques for purifying wastewater with plants. More specifically, it is a method of wastewater treatment that relies on a combination of microorganisms and plants in an ecosystem specially designed for this purpose. The principle behind constructed wetlands is simple: a plant filter is created to collect wastewater from homes.

The wastewater from the home arrives on the surface of the filter, which is planted with reeds. The role of the reeds is mainly mechanical: the development of the stems and rhizomes maintains the permeability of the filter over the long term, and the roots as a whole harbour an ecosystem that is very rich in bacteria and other micro-organisms. The reed filter is divided into two parts that are fed alternately. The upper layer of the filter is made up of sand, which acts as a sieve, retaining solid matter on the surface of the filter. This matter will quickly compost while the water passes vertically through the entire filtering mass. The bacteria present in the filtering mass will digest the pollution and the water continues on its way to the infiltration zone.

The fact that the water is directly infiltrated and treated in a Sanitation Garden does not attract mosquitoes.

Promoting biodiversity

The phytopurification system not only treats wastewater in an ecological way, it also plays a role in promoting rich and diverse ecosystems. The plants used in these systems, such as reeds, irises and other semi-aquatic varieties, do not just fulfil a filtering role; they become the heart of micro-habitats that nurture a multitude of life forms. For example, thanks to the floral diversity that is on display, bees find these gardens an ideal space for foraging. These little workers are essential for pollination. Butterflies, which are just as important, also contribute to this process while enriching the garden with beautiful colours.

In addition, the Sanitation Gardens contribute to biological diversity by creating a dense plant cover. Thus, the interactions between the different species create a miniature ecosystem where each organism plays a specific role. Pollinating insects, for example, promote the reproduction of plants, which in turn provide food and shelter for other forms of life. This virtuous circle illustrates how a simple water treatment system can have far-reaching positive implications for the local environment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sanitation Gardens are not a breeding ground for mosquitoes, but rather an ecological solution that benefits our environment. Unlike stagnant water, which attracts these insects, the constructed wetlands ensure direct infiltration, thus eliminating the conditions necessary for mosquitoes to breed. What’s more, these gardens are valuable allies of biodiversity. They also encourage the arrival of bees and butterflies, which are essential for pollination and ecological diversity. So, by adopting a Sanitation Garden, not only are you adopting an environmentally friendly method of wastewater treatment, but you are also enriching our ecosystem by supporting the local flora and fauna.