The Open University of Sri Lanka has established an Anaerobic Baffled Reactor (ABR) together with a wetland to treat wastewater generated from the CRC building of the university.

The ABR, an enhanced septic tank featuring a series of baffles, is designed to target and reduce key water contaminants, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). In this method, a minimal quantity of sludge is generated while it is being stabilized.

In wetlands, plants, microorganisms, and substrates collaboratively act as a filtration and purification system. Pollutants and nutrients in the wastewater are naturally broken down and taken up by the bacteria and plants. Canna plants were used to remove contaminants presence in wastewater such as Carbon, Nitrogen, and Phosphate. Additionally, as a supplemental component, Biochar enhances the system’s ability to remove organic compounds from the wastewater.