Constructed wetlands for sewage treatment

A traditional septic tank or DEWATS will be  the primary means of treatment. The effluent from the septic tank / DEWATS can then flow to secondary  constructed wetlands and even tertiary treatments with a combination of reeds, typha, and sphagnum.

constructed wetlands for sewage treatment

Sewage Treatment all over the world requires large amounts of energy and/or chemicals to treat the waste water.There are a number of solutions to lessen the waste water load while at the same time producing a net benefit. Systems that include the collection of urine to be used as fertilizer and methane digesters that create fuel from feces [see ‘Biogas).Another solution — constructed wetland filtration systems for homes, communities, and industrial sectors — are efficient in both processing ability and energy requirements.The economic and environmental benefits of constructed wetlands filtration systems for small scale use are recognized in chemical- and odor-free treatment, creation of habitat, low setup/maintenance costs of the system, as well as a number of other natural benefits.

Source of the Article : http://permaculturenews.org/2012/03/22/constructed-wetlands-treat-waste-water-with-weeds/

In-ground installations are usually of the horizontal flow variety. This means that effluent enters at one end of a bed and flows, horizontally, under the surface of the bed (gravel, sand, etc). The micro organisms clean the water as it flows through, eventually exiting at the opposite end of the container as treated water.

To install a basic bed, simply dig an appropriate sized hole for your application and fill it with a liner to prevent any waste-water from seeping into the environment. The beds should be deep enough to accommodate at least 30cm of water depth. Fill the bed with gravel, sand, etc. Another few centimeters of substrate above this 30cm area is suggested to accommodate the variance in the water levels that result from rains or heavy use of the waste-water system.

The level of the water can be allowed to rise higher than the substrate, and can even be maintained to create a pond like environment by allowing the water to flow on the surface rather than in the subsurface.

Container

Vertical flow systems instead introduce effluent through the top of the container. Gravity then feeds the effluent down through various layers of filtration-assisting substrates. The container traps oxygen and aids in breaking down ammonium. Vertical flow units can process stronger effluents in a smaller footprint than horizontal flow units. Combination systems can be installed to achieve even higher levels of filtration.

REED

Phragmites australis is one of the main wetland plant species used for phytoremediation water treatment.

Waste water from lavatories and greywater from kitchens is routed to an underground septic tank-like compartment where the solid waste is allowed to settle out. The water then trickles through a constructed wetland or artificial reed bed, where bioremediation bacterial action on the surface of roots and leaf litter removes some of the nutrients in biotransformation. The water is then suitable for irrigation, groundwater recharge, or release to natural watercourses. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructed_wetland

Micro organisms

The microscopic life in the bed is a main processor of the pollutants. While living in the substrate and oxygen-rich root systems, these micro organisms metabolize the chemicals in the effluent, effectively mineralizing them. With longer processing times, even hard to remove pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), dyestuffs, amines and glycols can be treated. At the end of the first Gulf War, oil polluted sands in Kuwait were treated with oil metabolizing organisms that live on the roots of the plants in the area.

Reed

The 4m tall common reed, Phragmites australis, is most commonly used in these wetland filter systems, mimicking the natural habitat of flood plains and estuaries. They have the most extensive root system for micro organisms to colonize. This root system increases the porosity of the substrate in which it is grown, resulting in a patchwork of aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic conditions. There are many other varieties of reed that can thrive in just about any climate. During the growing season the chemical-resistant reeds themselves can account for about 15% of the pollutant removal, taking up and concentrating pollutants. Take proper care to dispose of the tainted reeds; avoid feeding them to livestock and the compost heap if pollutant levels are high.

Reeds can be good for finishing off the treatment of effluent to help reach regulatory levels, or to deal with seasonal use. Off season use, as in a caravan park, can mitigate runoff entering sensitive water courses while guests are using the property whilst still allowing the treated water to eventually reach its water course.

When establishing the reed bed, weeding will likely be required until the reeds have completely colonized the bed. Ideally 70% or more of the bed will be covered with reeds. The other 30% should include some combination of sphagnum or typha for best results. After 3-5 seasons the reeds can be cut back and allowed to regrow from their rhizomes.

Article source:
https://sidcgl.com/phytorid-waste-water-treatment/

Phytorid – Waste water treatment
NGAD – Septic Solution
Ekogea – Odour Control

Waste Water TreatmentExisiting Methods

Activated Sludge process
Conventional Process
MBBR Process
RBR Process
SBR Process

Complex Process
Skilled People
Machines
Chemicals
Electricity

We have a unique process PHYTORID
No electricity required
No Chemicals required
No machines involved in process

Components of PHYTORID system

Processes
Sedimentation
Bacterial action
Filtration
Adsorption
Precipitation
Decomposition
Nutrient uptake
Vegetation system

Phytorid Details

Various Plant Types

Water Hyacinths	Eichhornia crassipes
Forage Kochia	Kochia spp
Poplar Trees	Populus spp
Willow Trees	Salix spp
Alfalfa	Medicago sativa
Cattail	Typha latifolia
Coontail	Ceratophyllum demersvm L
Bullrush	Scirpus spp
Reed	Phragmites spp.
American pondweed	Potamogeton nodosus
Common Arrowhead	Sagittaria latifolia

ADVANTAGES

• Cost-effective
• Operation and maintenance expenses are negligible.
• Minimum electricity requirement
• Smaller footprint (Retention time: Typically less than 24 hrs.)
• Facilitates recycle and reuse of water
• No foul odor and No Mosquito Nuisance.
• Tolerates fluctuations in operating conditions such as flow, temperature and pH

Cost of Operation for typical STP Activated Sludge Process

• Electricity-4000/ Month
• Chemicals-1500/ Month
• Maintenance-
• Operator-
• Sludge Removal and –Disposal

Electricity +Chemicals=5500/month
5500*12= 66000/ Annum

When we operate this Plant for 7 years   
66000 *7=462000/-
All calculations made for 10KLD Plant

Green points

• Best Adoptable technology for in-situ treatment and reuse of waste water
• Phytorid Technology carryout on-site treatment and reuse of grey water up to 95%, which would attract total of 5 credits on Indian Green Building Certification (IGBC).

Aesthetics

Phytorid installation

Typical Sewage Treatment Plant

Performance of PHYTORID for urban waste

Pollutant	Performance (% removal)
Total suspended solids	75 – 95
Biochemical oxygen demand	70 – 80
Chemical oxygen demand	60 – 75
Total nitrogen	60 – 70
Phosphate	50 – 60
Fecal coliform	85 – 95

Treated water quality will meet the  specified norms of CPCB/MPCB for water reuse

Product Water quality

• Treated water complies to the regulations laid down by MPCB/CPCB(Table IV fresh water category) to reuse the water for the purpose of discharge, gardening agriculture etc.

APPLICATION
PHYTORID system is useful for treatment of waste water in following applications

1. Domestic wastewater (including decentralized Municipal waste water treatment)

• Colonies, Airports, Commercial complexes, Hotels
• Open drainage
• Cleaning of nallah water

2. Fish Market waste (waste water)

3. Slaughter House Waste

4. Fish pond discharges

5. Municipal Landfill leachates

6. Several other applications

Inaugurated by
Shri Suresh Shetty(Honbl’e State Minister)

Medical Education Higher & Technical Education On World Environment Day 5th June, 2006 at Kalina Campus, Mumbai University

Nalla and Treatment Scheme

• Floating matters removal
• No treatment in terms of TSS, BOD, N, P, FC and TC
• Only banking done
• Plant species were placed on the soil near the periphery

After Implementation