Evaluation of Domestic Wastewater Quality in Residential Areas and Treatment Alternatives with Constructed Wetland Technology

Abstract

Domestic wastewater management in developing countries frequently encounters challenges due to limited sanitation infrastructure, resulting in environmental pollution and public health risks. A promising alternative to mitigate this problem is Constructed Wetland (CW), a vegetation-based system replicating natural wetland processes to filter and degrade pollutants. This study aims to design a Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plant (DWTP) utilizing Combined CW technology, comprising an equalization tank, sedimentation tank, and Subsurface Flow CW. The case study was conducted at Lam Trieng Madani Housing in Aceh Besar Regency, which lacks proper wastewater treatment facilities. Laboratory tests revealed that Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and total coliform levels in domestic wastewater at this site exceeded the standards outlined in the Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number 68 of 2016. Implementing the Combined CW system is proposed as an effective solution to reduce environmental pollution from domestic wastewater in the area. Additionally, the findings offer insights into CW-based wastewater treatment technology, potentially serving as a reference for similar contexts. Consequently, this research contributes toward developing a sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly wastewater treatment system. Furthermore, it supports achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensuring universal availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation.