Journal of Environmental Biology

Performance and cost evaluation of constructed wetland for

domestic waste water treatment

V.T. Deeptha , J.S. Sudarsan* and G. Baskar

Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, SRM University, Kattankulathur-603 203, India

*Corresponding Author E-mail: sudarsanjss@yahoo.com

  Publication Data

Paper received:

05 March 2014

Revised received:

08 October 2014

Re-revised received:

03 December 2014

Accepted:

20 March 2015

Abstract

Root zone treatment through constructed wetlands is an engineered method of purifying wastewater. The aim of the present research was to study the potential of wetland plants Phragmites and Typha in treatment of wastewater and to compare the cost of constructed wetlands with that of conventional treatment systems. A pilot wetland unit of size 2x1x0.9 m was constructed in the campus. 3x3 rows of plants were transplanted into the pilot unit and subjected to wastewater from the hostels and other campus buildings. The raw wastewater and treated wastewater were collected periodically and tested for Total nitrogen (TN),Total Phosphorous (TP), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). It was observed that this pilot unit reduced the concentrations of TN, TP, BOD and COD by 76, 73, 83 and 86%, respectively, on an average. Root zone system achieved standards for tertiary treatment with low operating costs, low maintenance costs, enhance the landscape, provide a natural habitat for birds, and did not emit any odour.   

 Key words

Constructed wetland, Phragmites, Typha, Wastewater treatment

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