Wetlands For Domestic Wastewater Treatment Research Articles

Phosphorus removal in surface flow treatment wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment: Global experiences, opportunities, and challenges

Treatment Wetlands (TWs) are widely used for the treatment of domestic wastewater, with an increasing emphasis on provision of multiple co-benefits. However, concerns remain regarding achieving stringent phosphorus (P) discharge limits, system robustness and resilience, and associated guidance on system design and operation. Typically, where P removal is intended with a passive TW, surface flow (SF) systems are the chosen design type. This study analysed long-term monitoring datasets (2–30 years) from 85 full-scale SF TWs (25 m2 to 487 ha) treating domestic sewage with the influent load ranging from 2.17 to 54,779 m3/d, including secondary treatment, tertiary treatment, and combined sewer overflows treatment. The results showed median percentage removals of total P (TP) and orthophosphate (Ortho P) of 28% and 31%, respectively. Additionally, median areal mass removal rates were 5.13 and 2.87 gP/m2/yr, respectively. For tertiary SF TWs without targeted upstream P removal, 80% of the 44 systems achieved ≤3 mg/L annual average effluent total P. Tertiary SF TWs with targeted upstream P removal demonstrated high robustness, delivering stable effluent TP < 0.35 mg/L. Seasonality in removal achieved was absent from 85% of sites, with 95% of all systems demonstrating stable annual average effluent TP concentrations for up to a 30-year period. Only two out of 32 systems showed a significant increase in effluent TP concentration after the initial year and remained stable thereafter. The impact of different liner types on water infiltration, cost, and carbon footprint were analysed to quantify the impact of these commonly cited barriers to implementation of SF TW for P removal. The use of PVC enclosed between geotextile gave the lowest additional cost and carbon footprint associated with lining SF TWs. Whilst the P-k-C* model is considered the best practice for sizing SF TWs to achieve design pollutant reductions, it should be used with caution with further studies needed to more comprehensively understand the key design parameters and relationships that determine P removal performance in order to reliably predict effluent quality.

Effectiveness of biochar filters vegetated with Echinochloa pyramidalis in domestic wastewater treatment.

The use of biochar in constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment is gradually being acclaimed by environmentalists due to its high specific surface area and porosity. In this study, the effectiveness of corn cob biochar (CCB) and rice husk biochar (RHB) in vertical flow constructed wetlands vegetated with Echinochloa pyramidalis was studied with sand as common reference material. The filters were fed with primarily treated domestic wastewater at a hydraulic loading rate of about 350 L/m2/day for 6 months. Water samples were collected monthly for physicochemical and bacteriological analysis and plant growth assessed every two weeks throughout the study. Biochar filters were highly performant in wastewater improvement with no significant differences between the biochar types. Both biochars were more efficient than sand in the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), true colour, total suspended solids (TSS) and total dissolved solids (TDS). However, sand filters performed better in the reduction of nutrients. All wetlands showed positive plant growth though the plants did not significantly affect the performance of the different filters for most parameters. However, a better plant growth was observed in the CCB filters. The study shows that CCB and RHB can effectively replace sand as substrates in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment.

Effect of Plant Species on the Performance and Bacteria Density Profile in Vertical Flow Constructed Wetlands for Domestic Wastewater Treatment in a Tropical Climate

Bacteria are frequently studied due to their involvement in pollutants transformation processes during wastewater treatment. In this study, the treatment efficiency, bacteria densities and their vertical profile were investigated in pilot-scale vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCW) planted with different plant species under a tropical climate in west Africa. Five beds were planted with local plant species, i.e., Andropogon gayanus, Chrysopogon zizanioides, Echinochloa pyramidalis, Pennisetum purpureum and Tripsacum laxum, while one bed remained unplanted. These species have been rarely used in CWs while some (e.g., T. laxum) are tested for the first time. After a 7-month trial, bacteria densities were measured in substrate samples separated into six layers along the bed depth. Plants presence enhanced the bacterial density and VFCW efficiency; the removal rates of organic matter (90.9–95.9%; COD and 95.2–98.5%; BOD5), nitrogen (74.3–84%; TN and 76–84%; NH4-N) and phosphorus (77.4–96.9%; PO4-P) were higher by 5.9–24.1% compared to the control bed, providing an overall excellent treatment performance for a single-stage VFCW system. Small numbers of anaerobic bacteria were obtained in the VFCWs, explaining the low-to-zero NO3-N removal, except for the VFCWs with T. laxum and P. purpureum. Aerobic bacteria decreased from the upper to bottom layers from 17.4 to 0.1 × 106 CFU/g in the planted beds, while anaerobic bacteria increased from 0.1 to 2.1 × 106 CFU/g. Anaerobic bacteria were more abundant in the unplanted than in the planted beds. The total bacteria count was dominated by aerobic bacteria, and decreased from the surface towards the bottom. Overall, the VFCW with P. purpureum demonstrated the highest efficiency, indicating that this design is an effective and sustainable nature-based solution for wastewater treatment in a tropical climate.

Performance of Canna Indica based microscale vertical flow constructed wetland under tropical conditions for domestic wastewater treatment

Constructed wetlands (CWs) have great potential as low-cost natural wastewater treatment in developing countries. The present study appraises the performance of the vertical flow constructed wetland for domestic wastewater treatment. More specifically, the potential of Canna Indica in the removal of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus (CNP) from wastewater under tropical conditions. CW cell was fabricated with a vegetative layer of Canna Indica and tested with domestic wastewater. Based on the test results, Canna Indica shows a high Removal Efficiency (RE) of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD5) on the order of 87% and 91%, respectively. Similarly, nutrients removal efficiency for total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP) was found to be 97% and 98%, respectively. The investigation also revealed that there is considerable removal of sulfates with efficiency equal to 78.4%. Overall, the Canna Indica based CWs were found to be suitable for wastewater treatment in the tropical regions, provided a viable medium for treating the wastewater in peri-urban and rural areas of developing countries. Novelty statement This study investigates the performance of Canna indica based vertical flow wetlands for greywater treatment. The study investigates the results at different hydraulic retention times and loading rates. There are no much studies reporting the performance of this variety of plant species under a tropical humid climate. The results from the study can encourage adoption of this plant variety, indigenous to this part of the country, for wastewater treatment Highlights It could emphasize the importance of familiarity with constructed wetlands to comprehend the RE of various climatic zones. It is possible to highlight the Canna-based CW's efficiency in removing organics and nutrients from domestic wastewater. The possibility for field-scale Canna-based CW to remove pollution in tropical climates was investigated, and Decentralization of wastewater treatment at the household level to apply CWs that will improve wastewater quality.

Nitrification, denitrification and anammox process coupled to iron redox in wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment

Constructed wetlands (CWs) is widely used in rural areas as low-cost wastewater treatment technology. However, in rural domestic wastewater treatment using subsurface CWs, the lack of oxygen for nitrification and a carbon source for denitrification is often responsible for low removal of nitrogen. As organic carbon addition requires human and financial investment, which is not suitable for long-term utilization in rural areas. Other electron donors become the preferred choice. Compared to granulated iron materials, the iron scraps with fluffy structure could avoid clogging problem and be effective for nitrogen removal simultaneously. In this study, two CWs were constructed using gravel and iron scraps as substrate, respectively. After 6 months of operation, the total nitrogen and ammonia removal in CWs with iron improved to 71.46% and 70.44%, respectively. Enhancement of 24.08% organic nitrogen removal was observed in iron zone of CWs. Autotrophic denitrifying bacteria became the dominant genus in the system. Traditional nitrification-denitrification and anaerobic ammonia oxidation process could be the primary nitrogen removal pathway in CWs with iron. The presence of iron-reducing bacteria (Anaeromyxobacter, Geobacter, and Geothrix) provided the possibility of iron oxide reduction reactions. Electron transfer and products in iron oxidation and reduction processes significantly affected on nitrogen removal to complete the coupling of iron cycle and nitrogen cycle in CWs.

Design of Hybrid Flow Constructed Wetlands for Domestic Wastewater Treatment (Phytoremidiation): A Review

Design of Hybrid Flow Constructed Wetlands for Domestic Wastewater Treatment (Phytoremidiation): A Review

Pollutant removal by Canna Generalis in tropical constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment

Constructed wetlands have not been commonly used in Vietnam due to the lack of information in the selection of proper types of constructed wetlands, type of reeds, design parameters and performance efficiency, in tropical climates. This paper focuses on Canna generalis, which is a common reed and easy to grow both in water and wet land conditions. Two kinds of hybrid constructed wetlands were employed, including Facultative pond combined with free water sub-surface constructed wetlands system and horizontal subsurface flow combined with Aerobic pond system. It was found that the ponds played an important role in the hybrid system performance and enhanced the performance of constructed wetlands. The pollutant removal efficiencies of the hybrid systems were all higher than the single constructed wetlands. The BOD5, TSS, NH4-N and PO4-P removal efficiencies averaged 81%, 85%, 93% and 77%, respectively for the hybrid horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands system operated at a hydraulic loading rate of 0.075 m/day, while they were 89%, 97%, 97%, and 68%, respectively for the hybrid free water sub-surface constructed wetlands system operated at a hydraulic loading rate of 0.1 m/day. The removal rate constants (kBOD5, kNH4-N, kPO4-P) of the experimental hybrid constructed wetlands were similar to those in previous studies. However, these constants were higher for the hybrid free water subsurface constructed wetlands because of the modified structure flow of the free water subsurface constructed wetlands applied in this study, compared to conventional ones, as well as the additional benefits of the ponds in the hybrid systems.

Wastewater Treatment Potentials of Vegetated Beds with &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Brillantaisia cf. bauchiensis&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Hutch &amp;amp; Dalz and &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Polygonum salicifolium&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Brouss ex Wild in the Western Highlands of Cameroon

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potentials of beds vegetated with medicinal species (Brillantaisia bauchiensis and Polygonum salicifolium) in a constructed wetland for domestic wastewater treatment in the Western Highlands of Cameroon. The study was carried out between March and September 2017 on plants collected from a natural wetland in Penka-Michel. The two plants species selected based on their ethnobotanical importance were transplanted and allowed to grow to maturity in a prepared natural wetland at Penka-Michel and a constructed wetland for domestic wastewater treatment on the campus of the University of Dschang. Growth parameters were followed for the two plants species in both wetlands. The physicochemical parameters and faecal bacteria concentrations were measured only for the vegetated and non-vegetated/control beds in the constructed wetland. Overall, the two plants species showed increased growth in height, diameter, leaf number and plants density. The change in diameter and density were very significantly influenced by species type in the constructed wetland than in the natural wetland. Generally, plant growth in height, diameter and density were higher with B. bauchiensis in the constructed wetland than with P. salicifolium in both wetlands. The mean faecal bacteria removal was higher in the vegetated beds for some bacteria than in the non-vegetated/control bed. There was a significant difference in the reduction efficiency of TSS, turbidity, BOD, Faecal streptococci and Total coliforms bacteria between the inflow and the outflow of some treatment beds especially the bed vegetated with Brillantaisia bauchiensis. There were correlations between the two plants species as concerns increased plants height, diameter, leave number, shoot number and nutrients uptake in the constructed wetland beds compared with the natural wetland.

Full scale subsurface flow constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment: 3 years' experience

In the present study, a horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands divided three equal parts was designed and constructed at a full scale to treat wastewater of Yörükçal village located in Black Sea region. Three macrophytes namely Juncus acutus, Cortaderia selloana, and Phragmites australis were used in each wetland system. The total surface area of all wetlands is 520 m2. The average removal efficiencies of J. acutus, C. selloana, and P. australis were obtained as 57, 56, and 54% for BOD; 51, 33, and 27% for TN; 55, 58, and 46% for OM; 45, 39, and 32% for orthophosphate; 22, 38, and 24% for ‐N; 13, 20, and 24% for TSS; 33, 44 and 39% for , respectively. One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) between groups was applied to determine any difference in the removal of all parameters between the plant types and months depending on the mean values of pollutant removal. Due to the problems such as costs of construction, maintenance and repair, and reduced flow rate encountered especially during the collection of wastewater in rural regions and transport to wastewater treatment plants in the city, the in‐situ treatment applications may be unavoidable. According to the results, Constructed Wetlands (CW) designed correctly are economically and environmentally to treat wastewater of rural settlements. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1348–1360, 2018

Vertical Subsurface Flow (VSSF) constructed wetland for domestic wastewater treatment

Vertical Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland (VSSF) is appraised to become an alternative solution for treating domestic wastewater effectively and efficiently. The system which imitates the natural wetland concept is able to reduce organic material and nutrients in wastewater; therefore, it will be more feasible to be discharged to the environment. This study aimed to compare which species is more recommended to be applied for reducing organic material and nutrients in domestic wastewater. This experimental study applied four treatments, i.e 1) control (unplanted), 2) single species Iris pseudacorus, 3) single species Echinodorus palaefolius, and 4) combination (Iris pseudacorus and Echinodorus palaefolius) with three days of retention time. The application of those plants aims for holding the role in increasing wastewater quality and adding aesthetic impression at once. The plants were planted on VSSF media, in relatively same of weight and size to compare their effectiveness in decreasing organic and inorganic load. The parameters measured pervade TDS, pH, BOD5, COD, Nitrate, and Phosphate. The plants’ condition was also observed during and after the system worked. The result showed that the best average value of effectiveness for each of parameters: COD by combination treatment (50.76%), BOD5 by single I. pseudacorus (30.15%), Nitrate by single E. palaefolius (58.06%), Phosphate by single E. palaefolius (99.5%), and TDS by E.palaefolius (3.25%). The result showed that there was a significant difference of Nitrate and Phosphate reduction between control and three other treatments, while pH parameter showed non-significant change among them. In term of performance, I.pseudacorus seemed showed a preferable achievement.

Use of halophytes in pilot-scale horizontal flow constructed wetland treating domestic wastewater.

Recent findings encourage the use of halophytes in constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment due to their special physiological characteristics as the ability to accumulate heavy metals and salts in their tissues makes them ideal candidates for constructed wetland vegetation. In this particular study, we investigated the application of halophytic plants in a horizontal flow constructed wetland for domestic wastewater treatment purposes. The pilot plant which was situated in Crete (Greece) was planted with a polyculture of halophytes (Tamarix parviflora, Juncus acutus, Sarcocornia perrenis, and Limoniastrum monopetalum). The system's performance was monitored for a period of 11months during which it received primary treated wastewater from the local wastewater treatment plant. Results show that halophytes developed successfully in the constructed wetland and achieved organic matter and pathogen removal efficiencies comparable to those reported for reeds in previous works (63% and 1.6 log units, respectively). In addition, boron concentration in the effluent was reduced by 40% in comparison with the influent. Salinity as expressed by electrical conductivity did not change during the treatment, indicating that the accumulation of salts in the leaves is not able to overcome electrical conductivity increasing due to evapotranspiration. The results indicate an improvement in the treatment of domestic wastewater via the use of halophyte-planted CWs.

Vertical flow-constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment under tropical conditions: effect of different design and operational parameters

ABSTRACTThis study assessed the treatment of domestic wastewater to find the optimum vertical flow-constructed wetland (VFCW) configuration under tropical conditions. Eight pilot-scale configurations units were studied to compare between fine sand and medium gravel used as substrate, two feeding frequencies (20 pulses d−1 and 10 pulses d−1), and the presence or absence of tropical plants (Heliconia psittacorum). The results showed that the sand beds were significantly more efficient in the removal of organic matter, ammonia nitrogen, and total suspended solids than gravel beds, presenting average removal rates of 48 and 24 g m−2 d−1 of COD; 35 and 16 g m−2 d−1 of BOD5; 7 and 4 g m−2 d−1 of ; 9 and 0 g m−2 d−1 for sand and gravel, respectively. The oxygen consumption rates were calculated and a value of 65 g m−2 d−1 was obtained for sand beds while for the gravel beds the consumption rate was 30 g m−2 d−1. The assessment of different kinds of nitrogen showed interesting dynamics in the nitrification processes. The presence of H. psittacorum showed positive effects in the total nitrogen (TN) removal. The different loading frequencies applied did not show significant statistical differences in the removal of the tested contaminants. Preliminary results were found in the pathogen removal, where the sand is favorable as the substrate. This work represents the first step in the research of optimum VFWC design and operation parameters for Colombia as well as the use of plants of the genus Heliconia.

Performance of Four Full-Scale Artificially Aerated Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetlands for Domestic Wastewater Treatment

A comparison of the performance of four full-scale aerated horizontal flow constructed wetlands was conducted to determine the efficacy of the technology on sites receiving high and variable ammonia loading rates not yet reported in the literature. Performance was assessed in terms of ammonia and solids removal, hydraulic conductivity and mixing patterns. The capability of systems to produce ammonium effluent concentrations &lt;3 mgNH4+-N/L was observed across all sites in systems receiving variable loadings between 0.1 and 13.0 gNH4+-N/m2/d. Potential resilience issues were observed in relation to response to spike loadings posited to be due to an insufficient nitrifying population within the beds. Hydraulic conductivity and flow mixing patterns observed suggested deterioration of the reactor effective volume over time. Overall, the study demonstrates the efficacy of the technology where ammonium removal is required on small sites receiving high and variable flow rates, with adequate removal of organics and solids, but no significant benefit to the long term hydraulics of the system.

Performance Evaluation of Integrated Constructed Wetland for Domestic Wastewater Treatment

Simple, budget friendly, laboratory-scale integrated constructed wetland (ICW) was designed to assess domestic wastewater treatment performance at a loading rate of 75 mm/d, planted with native plant species: Veronica-angallis aquatica and compared with non-vegetative control system at various residence times of 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, and 28 days. Results revealed that the vegetated ICW demonstrated superior performance over non-vegetated control: 69.12 vs 17.12%, 67.77 vs 16.04%, 68 vs 16.48%, 71.19 vs 6.56%, 71.54 vs 14.80%, and 72.04 vs 11.41% for total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, phosphates (PO4(-)), sulfate (SO4(-)), nitrate (NO3(-)), and nitrite (NO2(-)), respectively, at 20 days residence times. Reduction in bacterial counts (2.79 × 10(4) CFU/mL) and fecal pathogens (345.5 MPN index/100 mL) was observed in V. aquatica at 20 days residence time. Therefore, the present study highlights not only the presence of vegetation but also appropriate residence time in constructed wetlands for better performances.

Comprehensive evaluation of substrates in vertical-flow constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment

Substrates are the important component of constructed wetlands (CWs), which have an effect on construction cost, purification capability and stable operation, so that substrate optimization is the key part of CWs design. The comprehensive evaluation system, including four layers, eleven indicators and nine schemes, for substrates in vertical-flow CWs treating domestic wastewater was established based on analytic hierarchy process. Then combined with Delphi method and fuzzy synthetic evaluation approach, zeolite, anthracite, shale, vermiculite, ceramic filter material, gravel, steel slag, bio-ceramic and combination substrate (isopyknic layered anthracite, bio-ceramic and zeolite) were evaluated from the viewpoints of purification effect, practical performance and economic analysis. The results showed that phosphorus removal, nitrogen removal, chemical stability were the main factors of substrate selection. Combination substrate was the best scheme among nine substrates. Zeolite was ideal substrate for nitrogen removal and biocompatibility, while anthracite and steel slag were ideal substrates for phosphorus removal. The comprehensive evaluation system of substrates was beneficial to comprehensive compare all aspects of performance for different substrates, and could be improved according to the actual situation of engineering applications, so as to provide guidance of substrate selection for CWs design.

Design parameters affecting metals removal in horizontal constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment

As regards constructed wetlands (CWs), there is a great deal of research on metals removal, although comparison of different parameters under the same conditions is scarce. The aim of this study was to determine the most important factors affecting the removal efficiency and dynamics of metals and metalloids according to different configurations of horizontal CWs. An experimental plant, including the most commonly used CWs, was analysed for several metals (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Se, Sn and Zn). Arsenic, which was under the detection limits at the influent, presented a release in those wetlands with subsurface flow (SSF) and followed the same pattern as iron and manganese. The presence of vegetation and flow type were key design factors affecting metals removal from urban wastewater. Free water surface (FWS) flow provided favourable conditions for the removal of As, Fe and Mn, which are sensitive to redox changes, whereas SSF slightly enhanced the removal of other metals, such as Cu or Pb. On the other hand, vegetation was not able to maintain steady oxidised conditions to guarantee redox dependent metals removal by combination with oxides in SSF systems. In contrast, constant reduced conditions promoted the long-term removal of metals by sulphide combination and precipitation.

Performance Evaluation of Light‐Weight Aggregates‐Based Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetlands for Domestic Wastewater Treatment

This study evaluated the performance of horizontal flow constructed wetlands for secondary domestic wastewater treatment, using lightweight aggregates (LWA) as upper substrate. The use of LWA allowed average removal rates of 31–44, 55–69, and 34–43% for total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand, and total nitrogen, respectively. No significant decline in removal efficiency was observed during the monitored period. After operation for 19 months, in total 4.19–4.61 kg/m2 of organic matter was accumulated and annual solids accumulation rates ranged from 5.3 to 6.0 kg dry matter/m2 per year. High porosity (46%) and specific surface area (11.89 m2/g) of LWA favored to a slight reduction (6.8–13.6% of initial value) of hydraulic conductivity in both systems. Overall, results showed that LWA can be used as candidate materials in engineered wetlands and has a potential of longer lifetime.

Constructed wetlands for domestic wastewater treatment in a Mediterranean climate region in Chile

Background: Constructed wetlands are a promising, cheap and effective wastewater treatment in small communities. The studies on these systems have been reported mainly from cold, tropical or subtropical climate regions. In this work we constructed a pilot plant with six horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (HSSF CWs) with a surface area of 2 m 2 and a depth of 0.6 m each, planted with Typha latifolia or Scirpus sp . , and filled with gravel (G) or fine gravel (FG) of 2.8 and 1.2 cm of diameter respectively, continuously fed with raw domestic wastewater. This experimental setup was evaluated over 280 days for the removal of organic matter and nutrients in a Mediterranean climate, near Valparaiso, Chile. The removal of total COD, NH 4 + -N and PO 4 -3 -P was calculated, in order to assess by analysis of variance the effect of initial pollutants concentration, air temperature (season) and plant/support combination on the wetlands performance. Results: The Scirpus /FG combination showed the highest average removal of total COD of about 59%, and Typha /FG shows the highest removal of NH 4 + -N and PO 4 -3 -P (49 and 32%, respectively). Furthermore, the removal of organic matter was independent of influent concentration, while mildly dependent of the season, unlike nutrients removal that was dependent on these two parameters. Media, plant and the plant/media combination influenced positively organic matter, ammonia and phosphorous removal, respectively. Conclusions: Overall, the results demonstrate the potential of wetlands in treatment of wastewater in Mediterranean regions and show how these can help to improve the quality of water in domestic zones without high-throughput technologies.

Purification efficiencies and microbial community structure of integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland for domestic wastewater treatment during acclimation period

Two parallel pilot-scale integrated vertical-flow constructed wetland systems (IVCWs) were employed to study the removal efficiencies for domestic wastewater and changes of microbial community structure during acclimation period. The results indicated that the acclimation period for common pollutants removal was 40 days. The mean removal rates during acclimation period were achieved for COD (77.02%), TN (57.21%), NH4+-N (45.63%) and TP (67.78%), respectively. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) analysis and function groups PCA analysis demonstrated the microorganism community structure during the acclimation period realized stable after 90 days' operation. Based on the results of purification effects and microbial community structure, 90 days was probably optimal acclimatization period for IVCW system under this experimental condition.

Bio-contact oxidation and greenhouse-structured wetland system for rural sewage recycling in cold regions: A full-scale study

The constructed wetland for domestic wastewater treatment in frigid climate presents special challenges. A full-scale wastewater treatment plant which utilized a novel greenhouse-structured, horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland (HFCW) with bio-contact oxidation (BCO) pre-treatment was developed for sewage treatment. Reclaimed water was reused for irrigation in the rural area, northeast of China. The performance of the system showed that the annual average concentrations of COD, ammonia nitrogen (NH3N), and total phosphorus (TP) in final effluent were about 22.40 (±6.84), 8.58 (±1.48) and 2.09 (±0.28) mg/L, respectively. The insulation provided by the greenhouse, allowed the wetland and biological pre-treatment to overcome the disadvantage only using subsurface wetland and improve the pollutants removal efficiency in winter. Ornamental plants were planted in the constructed wetland, which provided economic benefits through selling them. The greenhouse provided a place for local people to communicate and entertain in winter, which raised the environmental awareness of local farmers. Probability analysis revealed that the BCO–HFCW combined system may be an alternative choice for many developing countries especially in frigid zones with temperature below 0°C.