Identification of an appropriate grass which can be used for wastewater treatment in constructed wetland

Abstract

Aging and poor maintenance of wastewater treatment works affect the wastewater quality and quantity. The focus of this experimental study was to identify appropriate grass which can be used for wastewater treatment in constructed wetlands. Vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides), Lemon grass (Cymbopogon flexuosus) and elephant grass (Pennisetum purpurreum) were planted separately and exposed to influent for a period of twenty weeks. Growth measurements were recorded weekly and the quality of the effluents from each of these grasses were assessed using standard methods to determine their treatment efficiency. The study demonstrates that different grass species can be used in constructed wetlands to treat wastewater effectively. Vetiver grass showed promising results in terms of treatment efficiency, meeting WHO standards for various water quality parameters. Further research and monitoring may be needed to confirm the long-term sustainability and performance of these grasses in wastewater treatment applications.