Study of the Efficiency of Hybrid Subsurface Constructed Wetlands in Reducing the Organic Loading of Municipal Wastewater Treatment Plants Using Various Aquatic Plants

In this paper, the efficiency of four hybrid horizontal-vertical subsurface constructed wetlands which have been built for the tertiary treatment of Isfahan North Wastewater Treatment Facility and removal of organic matters was evaluated. In these constructed wetlands three plants including Phragmites australis, Typha latifolia and Arundo donax were planted and one unit left unplanted. The results of 12 months of sampling showed that the type of vegetation has no significant influence on the organic matter removal in the subsurface constructed wetlands, although the removal efficiencies in the planted constructed wetlands were more than unplanted control one. The COD and BOD5 removal efficiency in the constructed wetlands changes between 77% to 83% and 84% to 86%, respectively, during the operation period. The results of this research also showed that the organic matter removal was dependent on the influent organics nature and biodegradability. The first order model constants were calibrated in different wetlands for designing main projects. The organic concentration in the wetland effluents met the Iranian regulation limits for different reuse applications that shows the constructed wetland is a suitable technology for wastewater treatment in Iran.