Performance of vertical flow constructed wetlands in the treatment of municipal wastewaters

Abstract

It was evaluated the performance of French vertical flow constructed wetlands of different configurations, for the treatment of domestic residual water in the Tarn Department in France. Likewise, the functioning of these systems, at the mesocomos level, for the removal of emerging contaminants in the tertiary treatment of the effluent of a municipal plant in Izúcar de Matamoros, Mexico was evaluated, comparing two species of macrophytes, Phragmites australis and Typha latifolia. The results obtained in the Tarn show that these systems achieve high removal rates of organic matter and nitrogen, with a stable operation over time. In Izúcar de Matamoros, when comparing the two macrophytes, were observed slightly better results of organic load and some organic micropollutants removal for Typha latifolia, with turbidity values that approach the value established for urban public use water accordingly to Mexican regulations.