Makopondo Richard O B, Rotich Laban K, Kamau Cynthia G
The Technical University of Kenya, School of Hospitality and Human Ecology, Department of Hospitality and Leisure Studies, P.O. Box 52428-002000, Nairobi, Kenya.
Conservation and Environmental Management Consultant, NEMA Associate, P.O. Box 6431-00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
ScientificWorldJournal. 2020 Oct 14;2020:9184192. doi: 10.1155/2020/9184192. eCollection 2020.
Constructed wetlands are cost-effective wastewater treatment alternatives that receive worldwide acceptance. For the Kenyan hospitality industry, in particular, constructed wetlands (CWs) provide opportunities for wastewater reuse and recovery of resources, as well as improvements in local environmental conditions. Hospitality establishments produce large volumes of wastewater that is sometimes discharged to the environment without being treated. This is not only harmful to communities living downstream of these rivers but also to the flora and fauna which are the main attraction for most who visit these lodges. This study used qualitative methods to collect and analyze published official government documents, peer-reviewed research articles, and professional reports including leading international and Kenyan case studies to explore how constructed wetlands can be effectively used in game lodges and resorts situated in arid and remote areas of Kenya. The study investigated wastewater management systems adopted by remote game lodges and resorts in Kenya and the potential role, as well as the challenges to adopting constructed wetland (CW) technology. The results indicated that hotels, game lodges, and resorts both internationally and locally are adopting different types of CWs including surface and subsurface flow as alternative nature-oriented wastewater management systems. The study identified opportunities in the use of CWs as a wastewater management and conservation strategy. The results suggest that there are potential challenges which include inadequate expertise and technical support; low volume of discharge during off-seasons; limited space or land; and the attitude of hospitality managers towards constructed wetlands. Based on these preliminary findings, one may conclude that game lodges, ecolodges, and resorts in remote areas are prime candidates for constructed wetland establishment. The study makes specific recommendations with implications for policy and practice to promote sustainable hospitality operations and environmental conservation. It is suggested that future studies test the efficacy and efficiency of CW technology as wastewater management systems in the Kenyan wilderness areas including national parks, game reserves, and forests.
人工湿地是一种具有成本效益的废水处理替代方案，已获得全球认可。特别是对于肯尼亚的酒店业而言，人工湿地为废水回用、资源回收以及改善当地环境状况提供了机会。酒店业产生大量废水，有时未经处理就排放到环境中。这不仅对生活在这些河流下游的社区有害，而且对大多数前往这些旅馆的游客所主要吸引的动植物也有害。本研究采用定性方法，收集并分析已发布的官方政府文件、同行评审的研究文章以及专业报告，包括领先的国际和肯尼亚案例研究，以探索如何在肯尼亚干旱和偏远地区的狩猎旅馆及度假村有效利用人工湿地。该研究调查了肯尼亚偏远狩猎旅馆及度假村采用的废水管理系统，以及采用人工湿地技术的潜在作用和挑战。结果表明，无论是国际上还是当地的酒店、狩猎旅馆及度假村，都在采用不同类型的人工湿地，包括表面流和潜流，作为替代性的以自然为导向的废水管理系统。该研究确定了将人工湿地用作废水管理和保护策略的机会。结果表明存在一些潜在挑战，包括专业知识和技术支持不足；淡季排放量低；空间或土地有限；以及酒店管理人员对人工湿地的态度。基于这些初步发现，可以得出结论，偏远地区的狩猎旅馆、生态旅馆及度假村是建立人工湿地的主要候选对象。该研究提出了具体建议，对政策和实践具有启示意义，以促进可持续的酒店运营和环境保护。建议未来的研究测试人工湿地技术作为肯尼亚荒野地区（包括国家公园、野生动物保护区和森林）废水管理系统的有效性和效率。
