Utilization of water hyacinth in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment

Abstract

Municipal wastewater discharge is one of the most serious threats to the ecosystem. The sewage needs to be treated appropriately before the wastewater can be released into the environment. In recent years, the application of constructed wetlands, and facultative ponds treating domestic sewage has attracted attention because it is environmental approach. Vegetation considered as a dominant feature of constructed wetlands, and acts as a biotic factor in the treatment process. The water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipies) appears to be a promising candidate for pollutants removal owning to its rapid growth rate and extensive root system. This study is conducted to determine the efficiency of water hyacinth in wastewater treatment for nutrient removal and to identify the best practices for water hyacinth cultivation in the sewage treatment plant (STP). Plant growths and water quality were measured to determine the suitability of water hyacinth for sewage treatment plant. Water hyacinth has a good potential to be utilized in constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment.