A three-stage constructed wetland with gravel, zeolite, and coal ash was compared to a single-stage wetland with only gravel for purifying eutrophic scenic waters. The three-stage wetland showed better removal of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and ammoniacal odor from the water. It had higher nitrogen and phosphorus removal rates (35.1%-65.3% for TP and 28.7%-62.9% for TN) compared to the single-stage wetland. Both wetlands were effective in removing turbidity and blue-green algae, with average removal rates of about 78% and 63% respectively.