Evaluation of Domestic Wastewater and Constructed Wetland Treatment in Residential Areas

Abstract

Domestic wastewater management in developing countries often faces challenges due to limited sanitation infrastructure, leading to environmental pollution and public health risks. Constructed wetland (CW) technology, a nature-based solution that utilizes vegetation to filter and decompose pollutants, offers a promising alternative. This study aims to design a domestic wastewater treatment plant (WTP) using a combined CW system, which includes an equalization tank, sedimentation tank, and subsurface flow constructed wetland (SFCW). The case study was conducted in Lam Trieng Madani Housing, Aceh Besar Regency, which lacks adequate wastewater treatment facilities. Laboratory analyses revealed that the Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and total coliform levels in domestic wastewater exceeded the thresholds of Indonesian Regulation No. 68/2016 from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The proposed WTP with combined CW technology is expected to offer an effective solution for reducing domestic wastewater pollution in the area. Furthermore, the study contributes to developing and implementing CW-based treatment systems, serving as a model for other residential areas with similar conditions. This approach supports creating sustainable, efficient, and environmentally friendly wastewater management systems, in line with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.