Constructed wetland at the University of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

Following lack of investment in wastewater treatment, high investment and maintenance cost, conventional treatment systems have not been used in Tanzania. On the other hand, cost effective wastewater treatment methods like the use of septic tanks, soak pits, drainage fields and waste stabilization ponds are widely applied. One of the methods of achieving compliance using conventional treatment systems at low cost, producing treated water pollution free and fostering a community responsibility for wastewater treatment involves the use of natural or constructed wetlands. To date, no wetlands have been used for treating wastewater in Tanzania. Therefore in an attempt to promote the use of constructed wetland for wastewater treatment, a horizontal flow constructed wetland at the University of Dar es Salaam was commissioned for treatment of wastewater effluent from the University waste stabilization ponds (WSP). This paper presents results obtained from a constructed wetland (CW) installed at an outlet of the WSP of the University of Dar es Salaam. The field tests were conducted at low and high filtration rates 0.27 m/h and 2.3 m/h respectively for a period of 4 weeks. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated which indicated high mean removal efficiencies; 80% for SS, 66% for COD, 91% for faecal coliforms (FC) and 90% for total coliforms (TC) achieved at the low filtration rate. Thus, wetlands if properly designed, operated and maintained can provide an efficient and economical means of upgrading the quality of secondary treated wastewater to an acceptable level.