Design and performance of experimental constructed wetlands in Uganda, planted with Cyperus papyrus and Phragmites mauritianus

• Published in: Water Science & Technology Vol. 40; no. 3; pp. 265 - 271
• Main Authors: OKURUT, T. O, RIJS, G. B. J, VAN BRUGGEN, J. J. A
• Format: Conference Proceeding Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Pergamon Press 01.01.1999; IWA Publishing
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Aquatic plants; Artificial wetlands; Biochemical oxygen demand; Biological and medical sciences; Biological treatment of waters; Biotechnology; Chemical oxygen demand; Coliform bacteria; Coliforms; Concrete construction; Construction planning; Effluents; Environment and pollution; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General purification processes; Indigenous plants; Industrial applications and implications. Economical aspects; Marshes; Municipal wastewater; Phosphates; Phragmites; Plants (botany); Pollution; Purification; Removal; Suspended particulate matter; Total suspended solids; Tropical climate; Tropical environment; Tropical environments; Uganda; Viability; Wastewater; Wastewaters; Water purification; Water treatment and pollution; Wetlands; Uganda; Africa; Ugandan; Design; Monocotyledones; Cyperus papyrus; Artificial medium; Angiospermae; Cyperaceae; Spermatophyta; Waste water purification; Performance; Wetland; Biological purification
• ISBN: 9780080434247; 008043424X
• ISSN: 0273-1223; 1996-9732
• DOI: 10.2166/wst.1999.0171

The viability of the use of constructed wetlands planted with indigenous Cyperus papyrus and Phragmites mauritianus plants for the purification of pre-settled municipal wastewater in tropical environments was investigated in concrete lined constructed wetlands for a period of 11 months. BOD and total suspended solids concentrations in the effluents from both systems were below 20 mg/l and 25 mg/l, respectively. In the C. papyrus systems, the removal rates for COD, NH sub(4) super(+) and o-PO sub(4) super(-), averaged to 3.75, 1.01 and 0.05 (g/m super(2).day), respectively. In P. mauritianus units, the rates were 1.52, 0.97 and 0.068 (g/m super(2).day), respectively. A high degree of faecal coliform removal was attained at longer retention times in the two systems.