Multistage Constructed Wetland in the Treatment of Greywater under Tropical Conditions: Performance, Operation, and Maintenance

Abstract

Greywater (GW) can be separated in different fractions where the kitchen component might be included. Constructed wetland (CW) systems are commonly used for the onsite treatment of GW, and the fraction treated might impact the performance, operation, and maintenance. These aspects are still poorly explored in the literature and are of importance for a proper design and system sustainability. In this study, a multi-stage household-scale CW system composed of a horizontal flow (HF), followed by a vertical flow (VF) unit, was monitored over 1330 days, focusing on different GW fractions and hydraulic and organic loading rates. The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) was ~50% lower without the kitchen sink component (GWL) in the system inlet, while no drop was observed in the chemical oxygen demand (COD). Treatment with the GWL component caused a sudden drop in the hydraulic loading rate applied at the HF-CW (~114 to 35 mm per day) and the VF-CW (~230 to 70 mm per day). Even when the HF-CW received ~90 gCOD m−2 per day (GW), the multistage system reached a COD removal of 90%. The lower BOD load when treating GWL avoids clogging and decreases the frequency of maintenance. These variables can be used for the optimal design and operation of a CW, contributing with empirical data to CW guidelines in Brazil, and could additionally be expanded for application in other countries with similar climates.