Constructed Wetlands for Holistic Kindergardens
Since 2023, four nature kindergardens built by LivingCircles GmbH have received their own treatment plants, even though they are located right in the city. LivingCircles GmbH is the developer of the building system and the general contractor for the construction.
The educational concept of the institution is based on actively involving children in natural cycles and teaching them a conscious use of resources. The goal is for children to experience how their own actions directly influence their environment. In line with this guiding principle, LivingCircles decided to integrate decentralized constructed wetlands into the local water cycle.
The wastewater from the groups is treated naturally on-site in planted soil filters. Different concepts were implemented at each location.
In Mannheim (DWA Climate Award: Janisch & Schulz participating), all wastewater is treated in a vertical-bed wetland and then infiltrated.
In Welzheim, Kirchdorf, and Hedendorf, only greywater is treated. There, we took the opportunity to build classic horizontal beds. These constructed wetlands require only a very small height difference between inlet and outlet. That means: no pump, no dosing device, no moving parts in the entire treatment plant. Thanks to a large inlet area filled with coarse gravel, the bed remains resistant to clogging. This results in very low maintenance and inspection effort.
The constructed wetlands create small wetland biotopes—green, cooling oases that provide habitats for insects and other animals. Even in hot summers, these areas remain moist and vibrant.
The children can observe the treatment process and understand how water returns to the natural cycle. This turns the systems into educational elements of the kindergardens: they connect environmental education with hands-on experience and foster ecological awareness from an early age.
