Abstract
The paper reports the findings of a research work carried out to examine the performance and efficiency of a subsurface constructed wetland (SSFCW) for the treatment of domestic sewage in the University of Lagos (Unilag), Nigeria. The removal patterns and efficiencies of the physical, chemical and biological sewage pollutants parameters of domestic waste water generated within Unilag community by the SSFCW were studied. The wastewater was sampled and analysed along the SSFCW from influent (point1) to effluent (point 11). Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) reduced from 471 mg/l to 11.85 mg/l (97.48%), Turbidity reduced from 108.75 HTU to 0.05HTU (99.95%), Manganese reduced from 6.05 mg/l to 0.61 mg/ (89.92%), Nitrate reduced from 27.5 mg/l to 2.0 mg/l (92.73%), Sulphate reduced from 48.5 mg/l to 28 mg/l (42.27%), Iron reduced from 1.13 mg/l to 0.03 mg/l (97.35%), BOD reduced from 73.14 mg/l to 12.8 mg/l (82.5%), and E-coli reduced from 874 MPN/100 ml to 0.15 MPN/100 ml (99.98%). On the other hand, Dissolved Oxygen content increased along the SSFCW from 3.14 mg/l to 7.49 mg/l (138.54%) while the pH improved from slightly acid level of 6.49 to slightly above neutral level of 7.05 (9.3%). All the parameters at effluent point are within the Nigerian Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) acceptable standard. The study concludes that the SSFCW is a cheap, efficient and appropriate technology for the treatment of domestic sewage under tropical conditions.
Highlights
IntroductionRaw sewage contains mostly water (about 95%) which often comes from washing and flushing toilets
Raw sewage contains mostly water which often comes from washing and flushing toilets
The subsurface flow constructed wetland (SSFCW) sewage treatment plant is designed and constructed in 9 cells connected in series, significant percentage of the pollutants have been removed at the end of cell 7, sampling point 8 (Table 2)
Summary
Raw sewage contains mostly water (about 95%) which often comes from washing and flushing toilets. They contain organic particles (such as faeces, food, paper fibres, plant materials, etc.), inorganic particles (such as sand, metal particles, ceramics, etc.), pathogens and nonpathogenic organism, animals such as protozoa, insects, etc., macro solids such as sanitary napkins, diapers etc., gases such as hydrogen sulphide, methane etc. Much wastewater is being generated and most of it, especially in developing countries, is not treated before being discharged into water bodies. Untreated or partially treated wastewater release is harmful to the environment, wastewater discharge should be regulated to protect the environment. About two-thirds of the population in developing countries have no hygienic means
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