A STUDY ON DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT

BY PILOT-SCALE CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS

by
G. Chandrakanth
(1113242)
1
Under the guidance of
Dr. M. Srimurali

Department of Civil Engineering

Sri Venkateswara University College of Engineering
Tirupati-517502
2 CONTENTS
 Background and Statement of Problem
 Introduction
 Literature Review
 Scope and Objectives of Present Study
 Working Principle of Constructed Wetlands
 Components of Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetlands
 Results and Discussions
 Conclusion and Recommendation for Further Work
 BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
3
 In India, Wastewater management has become an extremely important area of
focus due to increased health awareness and population pressure.
 Construction of treatment facilities require huge capital investment and high
operational cost.
 These factors sewage treatment is being neglected in our country, resulting into
pollution of rivers and also ground water resources.
 The estimated sewage generation from urban centers is 38254 MLD. Against this,
there exists only 11787 MLD treatment capacity.
 This evidently indicates ominous position of sewage treatment, which is the main
source of pollution of rivers and lakes. To improve the water quality of rivers and
lakes, there is an urgent need to increase sewage treatment capacity and its
optimum utilization.
Contd.,
4

 There is a need of onsite treatment alternatives to conventional systems which can

solve these potential problems and which are practical, affordable, effective,
simple, reliable, and environmentally friendly.
 There is a wide range of small scale onsite treatment technologies; constructed
wetland (CW) is one of them. CWs have grown in popularity since early 1980s
(Reed et al., 1995).
 INTRODUCTION
5  Constructed wetlands are man-made systems, designed and constructed to treat wastewater
using the natural processes. This processes are an interaction and combination
of wetland plants, soil and microbial life.
 This treatment is required a low energy, low maintenance and natural approach to treat
sewage.
 The main two constructed wetlands types are:
 Surface flow constructed wetland (SFCWs) (Fig.1)
 Subsurface flow constructed wetland (SSFCWs)
i. Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland (the effluent moves horizontally,
parallel to the surface) (Fig.2) and
ii. Vertical Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland (the effluent moves vertically, from the
planted layer down through the substrate and out) (Fig.3)
 The subsurface flow avoids mosquito breeding conditions, reduces objectionable odors
and decreases the possibility of human or animal contact with untreated wastewater.
6

(Fig.1) Surface Flow Constructed Wetland (SFCW) (Fig.2) Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed
Wetland (HSSFCW)

(Fig.3) Vertical Subsurface Flow Constructed

Wetland (VSSFCW)
 LITERATURE REVIEW
S.No Authors Names Year Title Name
7
Jerry Coleman, Keith Hench, Keith Treatment of domestic wastewater by three plant species
1 Garbutt, Alan Sexstone, Gary 2000 in constructed wetlands
Bissonnette And Jeff Skousen
The potential for constructed wetlands for wastewater
2 Amelia K. Kivaisi 2000
treatment and reuse in developing countries: a review
The use of sub-surface constructed wetlands for
3 Jan Vymazal 2000
wastewater treatment in the czech republic: 10 years
G´erard Merlin, Jean-Luc Pajean & Performances of constructed wetlands for municipal
4 2002
Thierry Lissolo wastewater treatment in rural mountainous area
S. Katayon, Z. Fiona, M.J. Megat Treatment of mild domestic wastewater using subsurface
5 mohd noor, G. Abdul halim and J. 2008 constructed wetlands in malaysia department of civil
Ahmad engineering,
G. Baskar, V.T. Deeptha and A.
6 2009 Root zone technology for campus wastewater treatment
Abdul Rahaman
Comparison of treatment performance between
7 G.Baskar, V.T.Deeptha, R.Annadurai 2009
constructed wetlands with different plants
Treatment of sewage through phyto-technological studies
8 Chavan b. L.and Dhulap V. P 2012
with constructed wetland using eichhornia crassipes
8
SCOPE OF PRESENT STUDY
 The scopes of this study is set-up two pilot-scale constructed wetlands
(HSSFCW & VSSFCW) to treat pretreated domestic wastewater.
 In this study focuses on performance of subsurface flow constructed
wetlands with locally available wetland plants and soil, coarse & fine
gravel as a filter medium.
 The plants used in the study are croton plants for VSSFCW and Typha
Latifolia for HSSFCW.
 The performance of the constructed wetlands can be evaluated by
wastewater parameters such as BOD, COD, TS, TSS and TDS at different
hydraulic retention times (HRT).
9
OBJECTIVES OF PRESENT STUDY

 In this study the application of subsurface flow constructed wetlands to treat

pretreated wastewater has been investigated. The objectives of this study are:
i. To evaluate the performance of constructed wetlands without vegetation
in terms of removal of BOD, COD, TS, TSS and TDS;
ii. To reckon the performance of HSSFCW and VSSFCW in terms of
removal of BOD, COD, TS, TSS and TDS ;
iii. To evaluate the Hybrid performance (VSSFCW & HSSFCW) at different
Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT) for BOD, COD, TS, TSS and TDS ;
iv. To conclude the optimum functioning reactor amongst HSSFCW,
VSSFCW and Hybrid CWs;
 WORKING PRINCIPLE OF CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS
10 There are Physical, Chemical and Biological mechanisms that play a part in the treatment
of wastewater by using Constructed Wetlands System. The principal mechanisms are
outlined as follows:
Sedimentation
 Settling particles present in the wastewater is to be deposited on the bed of the marsh.
Bacterial Action
 Wetland plants have adapted to grow in saturated conditions. One such adaptation is the
ability to draw oxygen from the leaves to the roots.
 Oxygen is available in sufficient quantities for aerobic bacteria to thrive in the root zone
of the marsh.
 The saturated area of the marsh below the root zone supports anaerobic bacteria.
Bacteria also adhere to the dead plant material on the marsh surface.
 All of these groups of bacteria feed on the wastewater, playing a major part in the water
cleaning process.
 Removal Process of Constructed Wetland
11
 COMPONENTS OF SUBSURFACE FLOW CONSTRUCTED WETLAND
12
 A subsurface flow constructed wetland is made up of the following principal elements
i. Filter Material
ii. Wetland Plants
iii. Inlet and Outlet Structures
I. Filter material
 Coarse gravel, fine gravel and soil are preferred filter materials for this type of
constructed wetland.
 First, it retains solids from the pretreated wastewater.
 Second, the filter media provide surface for the adhesion and development of the
microorganisms that play a crucial role in the degradation of organic pollutants.
 Third, wetland plants develop their root systems in the filter material.
 The water level of the constructed wetland is always kept a few centimeters below the
surface of the filter bed by adjusting the standpipe in the effluent collection chamber.
 II. Wetland Plants
13  Wetland plants play several roles in the SSFCWs.
 It is recommended that locally available emergent plant species that can tolerate stagnant
water conditions be used.
 Their root systems provide surfaces for the attachment of microorganisms, enhance
filtration effects and stabilize the bed surface.
 The roots contribute to the development of microorganisms by the release of oxygen.
 Moreover, the plants give the treatment site an attractive appearance and some plant
species can be used for several purposes after harvesting.
III. Inlet and Outlet Structures
 The most common problem with SSFCWs is blockage, particularly around the inlet zone
and outlet zone.
 This occurs because of poor hydraulic design, insufficient flow distribution at the inlet
and inappropriate choice of porous media for the inlet zone.
 Properly-designed SSF systems are very reliable.
14 Role of Filter Media
 MATERIALS
 In the present study, a pilot scale wetlands were adopted. The models were
15
constructed with plastic-fiber for better visibility of filter media and flow of
wastewater.
 For the treatment of wastewater, grab samples of sewage were collected from STP
Renigunta near Tirupati in Chittor Dist. for the treatment studies.
 The two sets of wetland cell were 0.75 m long, 0.4 m wide and 0.3 m deep.
 Arrangement of Filter Media
16
 A soil medium is necessary as a matrix in both HSSFCW and VSSFCW systems
for supporting emergent vegetation.
 It was filled as follows (from bottom to top):
 In HSSFCW,
I. At both inlet and outlet (1” pipe), a 0.15m thickness of gravel (50mm) was
provided to ensure uniform distribution of wastewater.
II. Vertically, the reactor was divided into two layers. The bottom most layer
consisted of coarse aggregate (6mm) of thickness 0.15m.
III. Above it a layer of soil (0.3-0.5mm) of thickness 0.05m was provided.
 In VSSFCW,
I. The reactor was divided into three layers, The top and bottom layers consisted
of coarse aggregate (6mm) of thickness 0.05m and
II. The middle layer was filled with soil (0.3-0.5mm) of thickness 0.1m.
17
Layers of media in HSSFCW Layers of media in VSSFCW
18 Wetland Plants
Typha latifolia Croton Plants
19 METHODOLOGY

 For a VSSFCW or HSSFCW, it was that enclosed volume multiplied by the

porosity of the media.
 Wastewater flow rate was adjusted at the inlet valve. The system was
continuously supplied of pretreated wastewater at four different Hydraulic
Retention Times (HRT) as shown in below Table.
 Hydraulic Retention Time (T) is defined as the wetland water volume (V)
involved divided by the flow rate (Q).
 HYBRID CWs (VSSFCW &
20 Types>> HSSFCW VSSFCW
HSSFCW)

V =L×B×H V =L×B×H V =L×B×H

Volume =0.45×0.4×0.2 =0.75×0.4×0.2 =1.2×0.4×0.2
=0.036m3 =0.06m3 =0.096m3

Q=100mL/25sec=345 Lit/day

Q=100mL/30sec=288 Lit/day
Discharge(Q)
Q=100mL/36sec=240 Lit/day

Q=100mL/48sec=180 Lit/day

2.5 Hours (150 min) 4.17 Hours (240 min) 6.67 Hours (396 min)

3 Hours (180 min) 5 Hours (300 min) 8 Hours (480 min)

Time
(hours),T=V/Q
3.6 Hours (210 min) 6 Hours (360 min) 9.6 Hours (576 min)

5 Hours (300 min) 8 Hours (480 min) 12.8 Hours (768 min)
21

Results and Discussions

22
Constructed Wetlands Without Vegetation
 Wetland models have been evaluated without plants to estimate the
potential of the reactor as a natural filter alone, in absence of plants.
 Also a reactor without plants acts as a blank model to estimate the role
of plants in the purification process.
 The characteristics of wastewater parameters such as Total Solids, Total
Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids, BOD and COD by using
constructed wetland models without vegetation at HRT is 8 Hours.
 Characteristics of Wastewater Samples for HSSFCW of Inlet and
23
Outlet without Vegetation at 8 Hours
INLET REMOVAL
OUTLET WATER
S.NO PARAMETERS WASTEWATER EFFICIENCY
(mg/L)
(mg/L) (%)

1 Total Solids 3200 2700 15.63

2 Total Dissolved Solids 2700 2400 11.11

3 Total Suspended Solids 500 300 40.00

4 BOD 5 @ 200C 370 235 36.49

5 COD 480 342 28.75

24 Characteristics of Wastewater Samples for VSSF CWs of Inlet
and Outlet without Vegetation at 8 Hours
REMOVAL
INLET OUTLET WATER
S.NO PARAMETERS EFFICIENCY
WASTEWATER (mg/L) (mg/L)
(%)

1 Total Solids 3200 2778 13.19

2 Total Dissolved Solids 2700 2450 9.26

3 Total Suspended Solids 500 328 34.40

4 BOD 5 @ 200C 370 255 31.08

5 COD 480 367 23.54

 Removal Efficiency for Unplanted HSSFCW and
25 VSSFCW
 The performance of pilot-scale 45.00
constructed wetland models without 40.00
40.00
36.49
vegetation i.e., as filter bed systems. 35.00
34.40

% Removal Efficiencies
31.08
30.00 28.75

 Filter beds are similar to pre- 25.00 23.54

treatment process, but do not have 20.00
wetland plants with roots submerged 15.00
15.63
13.19
11.11
into the saturated filter. 10.00
9.26

5.00
 In this case, it clearly shows in Figure.
0.00
there was a little difference between Total Total Total BOD 5 @ COD
Unplanted HSSFCW and VSSFCW. Solids Dissolved Suspended 20C
Solids Solids

 It was observed that the characteristics

Overall % Removal Efficiency for HSSF CWs
of outlet water are not in desirable
Overall % Removal Efficiency for VSSF CWs
limits for irrigation standards.
 Horizontal Subsurface Flow
Constructed Wetlands With Typha
Latifolia
26
27 Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland
With Typha Latifolia
 HSSFCW, working dimension are
0.45m×0.4m×0.2m with 6 Typha Latifolia
Plants species arrangement for 2 rows x 3
columns.

 Width of each root is 0.12m, plants spacing

for each plant is 0.10m, depth of roots 0.15m
and density of each wetland cell is 20
plants/m2.

 The system was supplied with wastewater at

four different HRTs to analyze wastewater
characteristics such as Total Solids, Total
Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended Solids,
BOD and COD.
 TSS, TDS and TS of Wastewater Samples Inlet and Outlet for
28
HSSFCW at different HRTs

HRTs TSS Inlet TSS Outlet TDS Inlet TDS Outlet TS Inlet TS Outlet
S.No
(hrs) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)

1 2.5 300 2500 2800

2 3 225 2300 2525

500 2700 3200
3 3.6 175 2200 2375

4 5 95 2100 2195
29  Suspended solids are removed in CWs systems mainly depends on hydraulic
residence time (HRT) and type of filter media, area and thickness of the filter,
and the amount of material deposited on the filter is the principle factors
affecting the separation of suspended from dissolved solids.

 The gravel filters and thereby provides opportunities for TSS separations by
gravity sedimentation, and adsorption on biomass film attached to gravel and
root systems.

 The major mechanisms are sedimentation and filtration.

 ORGANIC MATTER (BOD and COD)
30
BOD and COD of Wastewater Samples Inlet and Outlet for HSSFCW

HRTs BOD Inlet BOD Outlet COD Inlet COD Outlet

S.No
(hrs) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)

1 2.5 280 416

2 3 222.5 352
370 480
3 3.6 182.5 288

4 5 125 210
31
 As shown in above results, Suspended organic matter is removed in wetland
systems under quiescent conditions by sedimentation and filtration.
 Organic compounds are degraded biologically both aerobically as well as
anaerobically in the wetland system depending on the oxygen concentration in the
bed.
 The oxygen required for aerobic decomposition is supplied directly from the
atmosphere through diffusion, convection and oxygen leakage from macrophyte
roots.
 Anaerobic degradation of organic matter will occur during periods of oxygen
depletion but is much slower than aerobic degradation.
 Organic matter present in the wastewater then flows to the subsurface constructed
wetlands system with vegetation, it can be oxidized or utilized by microbes,
reduce to biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand
(COD)
32 Characteristics of Wastewater Samples for HSSFCW
% Removal for HSSFCW

S.No PARAMETERS HRT in Hours

2.5 3 3.6 5.0

1 Total Solids 9.68 18.55 23.39 29.19

2 Total Dissolved Solids 7.41 14.81 18.52 22.22

3 Total Suspended Solids 40.00 55.00 65.00 81.00

4 BOD 5 @ 200C 24.30 39.90 50.70 66.20

5 COD 13.30 26.70 40.00 56.30

 Graphical Representation of Samples before and after treatment
Overall % Removal Efficiency for by HSSFCW
33
HSSFCW
100

90
81.00
80
% Removal Efficiencies

70 65.00 66.20

60 55.00 56.30
50.70
50
40.00 39.90 40.00
40
29.19
30 26.70
23.39 22.22 24.30
18.55 18.52
20 14.81 13.30
9.68
10 7.41
Before After
0
Treatment Treatment
Total Solids Total Total BOD 5 @ COD
Dissolved Suspended 20 C
Solids Solids
Time in 2.5 Hours Time in 3 Hours
Time in 3.6 Hours Time in 5 Hours
34

Vertical Subsurface Flow

Constructed Wetlands With Croton
Plants
 Vertical Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland With
35 Croton Plants
 VSSFCW, working dimension are
0.75m×0.4m×0.2m with 6 Croton Plants
species arrangement for 2 rows x 3
columns.

 Width of each root is 0.12m, plants

spacing for each plant is 0.10m, depth of
roots 0.15m and density of each wetland
cell is 20 plants/m2.

 The system was supplied with wastewater

at four different HRTs to analyze
wastewater characteristics such as Total
Solids, Total Dissolved Solids, Total
Suspended Solids, BOD and COD.
36
TSS, TDS & TS of Wastewater Samples Inlet and Outlet for
VSSFCW at different HRTs

HRTs TSS Inlet TSS Outlet TDS Inlet TDS Outlet TS Inlet TS Outlet
S.No
(hrs) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)

1 4.17 150 2450 2600

2 5 90 2325 2415
500 2700 3200
3 6 75 2269 2344

4 8 55 1972 2027

 VSSFCW model follows the same line of activity of HSSFCW model.

 ORGANIC MATTER (BOD and COD)
37
BOD and COD of Wastewater Samples Inlet and Outlet for VSSFCW

HRTs BOD Inlet BOD Outlet COD Inlet COD Outlet

S.No
(hrs) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)

1 4.17 220 384

2 5 175 320
370 480
3 6 149 272

4 8 93 192
 Characteristics of Wastewater Samples for VSSFCW
38
% Removal for VSSFCW
S.No PARAMETERS HRT in Hours
4.17 5 6 8
1 Total Solids 18.75 24.55 26.75 36.65

2 Total Dissolved Solids 9.25 13.88 15.96 26.96

3 Total Suspended Solids 70.00 82.00 85.00 89.00

4 BOD 5 @ 200C 40.50 52.70 59.70 74.90

5 COD 20.00 33.30 43.30 60.00

 As it is known that HRT’s and the capacity of model are high in VSSFCW when
compared to HSSFCW. So it can be concluded that VSSFCW model is more efficient.
39
Graphical Representation of Overall Samples before and after
% Removal Efficiency for VSSFCW treatment by VSSFCW

100
89.00
90 85.00
82.00
80 74.90
70.00
70
% Removal Efficiencies

59.70 60.00
60
52.70
50 43.30
40.50
40 36.65
33.30
30 26.75
24.53 26.96
18.75 20.00
20 15.96
13.88
9.25
10
0 Before After
Total Solids Total Total BOD 5 @ 20 COD Treatment Treatment
Dissolved Suspended C
Solids Solids
Time in 4.17 Hours Time in 5 Hours
Time in 6 Hours Time in 8 Hours
40

Hybrid Constructed Wetlands

(both VSSF CWs & HSSF CWs)

 In this case, Hybrid CWs (Wastewater flow from VSSFCW to HSSFCW)

dimension are 1.2×0.4×0.2 with 6 Croton Plants and 6 Typha latifolia
species arrangement for 2 rows x 3 columns in each wetland system.
 The system was fed at the four different flow rates variation.
41
TSS, TDS & TS of Wastewater Samples Inlet and Outlet for
Hybrid CWs at different HRTs

TS
HRTs TSS Inlet TSS Outlet TDS Inlet TDS Outlet TS Inlet
S.No Outlet
(hrs) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)
(mg/L)

1 6.67 150 2200 2350

2 8 80 2100 2180
500 2700 3200
3 9.6 35 1900 1935

4 12.8 10 1810 1820

 ORGANIC MATTER (BOD and COD)
42
BOD and COD of Wastewater Samples Inlet and Outlet for Hybrid CWs

HRTs BOD Inlet BOD Outlet COD Inlet

S.No COD Outlet (mg/L)
(hrs) (mg/L) (mg/L) (mg/L)

1 6.67 118 185

2 8 91 160
370 480
3 9.6 83 131

4 12.8 58 103
 Characteristics of Wastewater Samples for Hybrid CWs
43
% Removal for Hybrid CWs
S.No PARAMETERS HRT in Hours
6.67 8 9.6 12.8
1 Total Solids 24.19 29.68 37.58 41.29

2 Total Dissolved Solids 18.52 22.22 29.63 32.96

3 Total Suspended Solids 70.00 84.00 93.00 98.00

4 BOD 5 @ 200C 68.11 75.41 77.57 84.32

5 COD 61.46 66.67 72.71 78.54

 In the Hybrid CWs systems showed high removal rates of total suspended solids (TSS)
and organic matter: BOD and COD as shown in above table.
 This result suggests that microbial activity are high in Hybrid CWs due to HRTs is more
was compared to HSSF CWs and VSSF CWs system and is able to remove suspended
solids and organic matter effectively.
 Graphical Representation of Overall % Samples before and after
44
Removal Efficiency for Hybrid CWs treatment by Hybrid CWs
100 98.00
93.00
90 84.00 84.32
% Removal Efficiencies

77.57 78.54
80 75.41
72.71
70.00 68.11
70 66.67
61.46
60
50
41.29
40 37.58
32.96
29.68 29.63
30 24.19
22.22
18.52
20
10
0
Before After
Total Solids Total Total BOD 5 @ 20 COD
Dissolved Suspended C Treatment Treatment
Solids Solids
Time in 6.67 Hours Time in 8 Hours
Time in 9 Hours Time in 12.8 Hours
 Characteristics of Wastewater Samples for
45 Subsurface CWs with Vegetation
OUTLET WATER (mg/L)
STANDARDS
INLET Optimum HRT in Hours FOR
S.No PARAMETERS WASTEWATER
IRRIGATION
(mg/L) HSSFCW VSSFCW Hybrid CWs
WATER (mg/L)
5 8 12.8
1 Total Solids 3200 2195 2027 1820 2300

2 Total Dissolved Solids 2700 2100 1972 1810 2100

3 Total Suspended Solids 500 95 55 10 200

4 BOD 5 @ 200C 370 125 93 58 100

5 COD 480 210 192 103 ---

 CONCLUSIONS:
46  Constructed wetland models without vegetation showed poor performance when compared to
constructed wetland models with vegetation.
 HSSFCW, VSSFCW and Hybrid CWs showed successful removal rates of TSS is mainly through
physical suspension and filtration, whereas the removal success of organic matter (BOD and
COD) can be attributed to microbial activity.
 Among the three models, Hybrid CWs model showed good results for removal of TSS, BOD and
COD.
 Based on results, it can be concluded that Hybrid CWs model treated water can be used for
different purposes such as irrigation, gardening, toilet flushing, street cleaning, golf courses and
laundry etc.
FURTHER RESEARCH
 While this thesis work has shown that CWs systems are efficient at removal of total suspended
solids (TSS) and organic matter, there are many other contaminants in wastewater that affect
water quality such as metals, pharmaceuticals and pesticides that need to be studied more in-
depth.
 The effect on wastewater treatment due to different wetland plants techniques in both time and
space should be studied.
47