Urban Wastewater Treatment with a Vertical Flow Wetland Constructed with Recycled Substrate

Abstract

This study aimedto analyze the influence of implementing a vertical flow wetland constructed with recycled clay brick substrate on the treatment of urban wastewater. The methodologyemployed was based on an explanatory-level experimental investigation. An experimental wastewater treatment plant was constructed, and the study used a sample population consisting of urban wastewater from a rural community in the Buenos Aires district of northern Peru. The data collection instruments were adapted from Peruvian technical standards for particle size distribution, hydraulic conductivity, and porosity of the filter media, as well as from Peruvian standards for the evaluation of wastewater treatment plant effluents. The resultsdetermined that the particle size distribution used should have a uniformity coefficient between 3.8 and 5.0. In the treatment of urban wastewater, a removal percentage of 95.74% was obtained for biochemical oxygen demand, 88.47% for chemical oxygen demand, and 76.67% for turbidity. The conclusionof the research determined that the implementation of a vertical flow wetland constructed with a substrate made of recycled clay brick has a positive and statistically significant influence on the treatment of urban wastewater, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable and low-cost alternative, viable for application in rural communities.