TREATMENT OF DOMESTIC EFFLUENTS WITH CONSTRUCTED WETLANDS

Abstract

The main objective of this article is to present the advantages, from the technical, social, economic and environmental points of view, of the use of constructed wetlands for the treatment of domestic effluents based on floating and emerging macrophytes. As a case study, is presented the Sewage Treatment Plant of Ponte dos Leites, located in the municipality of Araruama, State of Rio de Janeiro, currently the largest facility of this type in Latin America, with a processing capacity of 200 l / s. The treatment by constructed wetlands may bring economic benefits, as the vegetal waste offers a new business model (composting, wastewater reuse) with great benefits to the environment. In addition, electricity consumption is low, the technology is simple, there is no application of chemicals, among other positive aspects, but the main disadvantage is the need of large areas to implement the treatment plant.