A Comparative Analysis of Vetiver and Typha in Ecological Wastewater Treatment Using a Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetlands in Rural Setting

This study presents an assessment of wastewater ecological treatment processes utilizing a horizontal flow bio-reactor at the Ndiebene Gandiol 1 school. It primarily aims to juxtapose the filtration efficacy of two distinct vegetative cells, Vetiver and Typha, in the pursuit of sustainable wastewater management strategies for rural scholastic institutions. A synergistic approach was employed, integrating on-site surveys for site-specific insights and laboratory analyses to quantify the pollutant loads pre- and post-treatment. Our findings indicate that both Vetiver and Typha-infused filter beds significantly reduce most contaminants, with particular success in diminishing chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD5). Vetiver was notable for its superior reduction of COD, achieving an average effluent concentration of 74 mg/L, in contrast to Typha’s 155 mg/L. Conversely, Typha excelled in suspended solids removal, registering 1 mg/L against Vetiver’s 3 mg/L. While both systems notably surpassed the target metrics across several indicators, including fecal coliform reduction, our results pinpoint the need for refinement in phosphate remediation. Conclusively, the study underscores the efficacy of both Vetiver and Typha systems in rural wastewater treatment contexts, with their integrative application potentially paving the way for enhanced system robustness and efficiency. The outcomes herein highlight the imperative for continued research to further hone these ecological treatment modalities, especially concerning phosphate elimination.