A comprehensive system for the restoration and purification of rivers from springs to mouths
Concept
A river is more than just a channel of flowing water. It is a complex, living ecosystem that includes springs, groundwater, forests, soils, streams, floodplains, marshes, deltas, and coastal marine zones.
Most modern programs focus on instream water purification.DREVO Living Mountainssuggests a different approach:the entire catchment area must be cleaned, since the quality of water is determined by the state of the territory through which it flows.
The main principle:
The cleanest river is the one that is not polluted.
Project goals
The system is aimed at:
restoration of natural water quality;
reduction of pollutant emissions;
restoration of the self-cleaning capacity of rivers;
increasing biodiversity;
restoration of springs;
reduction of siltation;
restoration of natural hydromorphology;
increasing resilience to climate change.
The first stage is Rodniki
Source protection
Each spring receives a sanitary and environmental protection zone.
Main events:
restoration of forest vegetation;
prohibition of polluting activities;
protection from trampling;
restoration of natural water flow;
flow control.
Cleaning the water outlet
Natural filters are used:
gravel;
sand;
stone;
mosses;
aquatic vegetation.
Stage Two - Upper Streams
Main task:
prevent the occurrence of erosion.
Used:
cascade;
small thresholds;
tree debris;
rock drops;
restoration of natural sinuosity.
Stage Three – Small Rivers
Created:
protective forest belts;
buffer zones;
natural riverbeds;
spawning grounds;
shaded areas.
Prohibition of direct pollution
The following are not allowed:
wastewater discharge;
plowing to the shore;
waste storage;
use of chemicals in water protection zones.
Stage Four – Middle Rivers
Restoration of floodplains
The river must be able to flow into the floodplain during seasonal floods.
This:
purifies water;
deposits silt;
reduces the flow rate;
replenishes groundwater.
Restoration of oxbow lakes
Returning:
old riverbeds;
floodplain lakes;
swampy areas.
They act as natural biofilters.
Stage Five - Large Rivers
Large natural filter systems are being created.
Used:
floodplain forests;
swamps;
reed fields;
flood meadows;
shallow water.
Stage Six - Deltas
Main task:
maximum natural water purification.
Used:
wetlands;
lagoons;
reed systems;
bioplateau;
coastal forests.
Biological treatment
The main cleaners are:
Trees
Roots:
retain impurities;
strengthen the banks;
reduce the water temperature.
Swamps
They act as natural treatment plants.
Remove:
excess nitrogen;
excess phosphorus;
suspended particles.
Aquatic plants
Used:
cane;
rug;
sedges;
irises;
local hydrophytes.
Microorganisms
The main cleaning is performed by:
bacteria;
mushrooms;
the simplest.
They are the ones that decompose organic pollutants.
Self-cleaning of the riverbed
Conditions are created for:
saturation of water with oxygen;
formation of rifts;
formation of pools;
natural movement of sediments;
restoration of microfauna.
Water aeration
Used:
stone thresholds;
cascade;
natural fluctuations.
They increase the content of dissolved oxygen.
Fight against siltation
The following are being restored:
natural flow rate;
sediment transport;
floodplains;
forest buffer zones.
Moreover, mechanical clearing of the riverbed is used only where it is truly necessary and does not disrupt natural processes.
Agricultural control
All agricultural lands are separated from the river:
forest belts;
buffer strips;
infiltration zones;
biofilters.
This prevents the entry of:
fertilizers;
pesticides;
soil particles;
organic contaminants.
Cleaning of urban areas
Before water enters the river, the following are used:
rain gardens;
bioretention systems;
filtration ditches;
artificial swamps;
storage ponds.
Fight against plastic
Created:
trash traps;
floating barriers;
automatic collection stations;
robotic cleaners.
The main task is to prevent garbage from entering the sea.
Robotic monitoring
Used:
WOOD River Rover
Autonomous aquatic robots.
Control:
water quality;
riverbed condition;
pollution level;
accumulation of garbage.
TREVO AeroSense Drone
Performed by:
channel mapping;
erosion control;
search for illegal discharges;
monitoring of water bloom.
Living Mountain Observatory
Continuously measures:
temperature;
turbidity;
oxygen content;
pH;
electrical conductivity;
water consumption;
water level.
Mountain Digital Twin
Creates a digital model of the entire river system.
WOOD AI
Models:
spread of pollution;
cleaning efficiency;
development of ecosystems;
consequences of floods;
change in water quality.
Bioengineering innovations
To enhance natural self-cleansing, the following can be used:
Floating artificial islands
Platforms with native aquatic vegetation, where the root system purifies the water and creates shelter for fish and invertebrates.
Underwater biomodules
Stone and ceramic structures that increase the area for the development of beneficial microorganisms and periphyton.
Oxygen thresholds
Small cascades of a special shape that increase aeration without hindering fish migration.
Smart control stations
Automatic stations that monitor changes in water quality in real time and quickly identify emergency pollution.
International integration
The system integrates with:
DREVO Living Mountains;
Mountain Sponge;
Mountain Springs Recovery;
Mountain Forest Corridors;
Living Mountain Observatory;
Mountain Digital Twin;
TREVO AeroSense Drone;
WOOD AI;
AMCWSRI.
Expected results
After implementation of the system the following is achieved:
restoration of natural water transparency;
increase in dissolved oxygen content;
restoration of fish and aquatic invertebrate populations;
reduction of siltation;
reduction of pollutant emissions;
restoration of floodplain ecosystems;
increasing the resilience of rivers to droughts and floods;
reducing the amount of pollution entering the sea.
Project mission
WOOD Clean RiversThe river is viewed as a continuous, living system—from its underground source to the seashore. Rather than combating the effects of pollution, the project addresses its causes by restoring forests, soils, springs, floodplains, and wetlands. This approach restores the river's natural self-purification capabilities and makes it a sustainable source of clean water, biodiversity, and life for future generations.