Effluent quality of constructed wetlands systems used in the treatment of domestic sewage

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of four constructed wetland systems, with horizontal subsurface flow (SACs) of 24.0 x 1.0 x 0.3 m, for the domestic sewage treatment. The system was cultivated with cattail (Typha sp) and operated under two hydraulic residence times (1.9 and 3.8 days) and different average rates of volumetric organic load. To evaluate the effluent quality. The variables: chemical oxygen demand (COD), soluble COD, total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sodium total, electrical conductivity, redox potential (Eh), pH, total coliforms and fecal. The obtained results characterized the efluente as of good quality for use in fertirrigation of agricultural crops that are not consumed raw and the sodium concentration was the main limitation factor for the indiscriminate use of this effluent in agriculture.

Key words:
pollution control; water reuse; wastewater