Drainage Water Reuse Through a Baffled Constructed Wetland System: A Pilot Study in the Harran Plain, Türkiye
Irrigation and Drainage, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1002/ird.70192
- Journal Name: Irrigation and Drainage
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, Environment Index, Greenfile, INSPEC, Natural Science Collection (ProQuest)
- Keywords: agricultural drainage water, baffled constructed wetland, hydraulic modelling, passive pretreatment, suspended solids, turbidity
- TED University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The reuse of agricultural drainage water requires low-cost pretreatment for sediments and salts. This study developed a pilot-scale horizontal surface-flow baffled constructed wetland for passive pretreatment of agricultural drainage water. Unlike conventionally constructed wetlands, the system used a baffled hydraulic configuration to regulate flow behaviour, reduce velocity and enhance sediment retention. Before construction, alternative baffle layouts were optimised with Flow-3D; the final design was selected using velocity distribution, low-velocity sedimentation zones and reduced velocities between baffles. The selected configuration comprised 10 gravel-filled gabion baffles installed at 60° with 2.90 m spacing. It was implemented in a drainage channel in the semiarid Harran Plain, Türkiye, receiving water from irrigated cotton, wheat and corn parcels. Channel-entry turbidity, suspended solids (SS), total solid matter (TSM) and electrical conductivity (EC) averaged 73.5 ± 133.5 NTU, 47.5 ± 92.4 mg L−1, 1094.6 ± 516.6 mg L−1 and 1362.1 ± 623.7 μS cm−1, respectively. Overall turbidity and SS removal were 73% and 90%, respectively. TSM and EC were not clearly reduced, reflecting limited removal of dissolved solids and salts. The system may support sediment control and irrigation reuse planning as passive pretreatment; separate treatment is required for salinity reduction.