Author(s)

Abdou Khafor Ndiaye^1*, Falilou Coundoul², Abdoulaye Deme¹, Antonina Torrens Armengol³, Abdoulaye Senghor⁴

¹UFR of Applied Sciences and Technology, Gaston Berger University of Senegal, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
²Polytechnic Institute of Saint-Louis (IPSL), Gaston Berger University of Saint-Louis, Saint-Louis, Senegal.
³Department of Biology, Healthcare and Environment, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
⁴Sanitation Department, Ministry in Charge of Sanitation, Dakar, Senegal.

In Saint-Louis, Senegal, a constructed wetland with horizontal flow reed beds (FHa and FHb) has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating municipal wastewater. Analyzing various treatment stages, the system showed only a slight temperature variation, from an influent average of 26.3°C to an effluent of 24.7°C. Electrical conductivity decreased from 1331 mS/cm to 974.5 mS/cm post-primary treatment, with suspended solids (SS) dramatically reduced from 718.9 mg/L to 5.7 mg/L in the final effluent. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) saw a notable decrease, from initial levels of 655.6 mg/L and 1240 mg/L to 2.3 mg/L and 71.3 mg/L, respectively. Nitrogenous compounds (N-TN) and phosphates () also decreased significantly, indicating the system’s nutrient removal capacity. Microbiological analysis revealed a reduction in fecal coliforms from 7.5 Ulog/100ml to 1.8 Ulog/100ml and a complete elimination of helminth eggs. The presence of Phragmites and Typha was instrumental in enhancing these reductions. The system’s compliance with the Senegalese standards for disposal into natural environments, WHO recommendations for unrestricted water reuse in irrigation, and the European legislation for water reuse was established. The effluent quality met the stringent criteria for various classes of agricultural reuse, illustrating the system’s potential for sustainable water management. This wetland model presents a robust solution for water-stressed regions, ensuring environmental protection while supporting agricultural needs. The study calls for ongoing research to further refine the system for optimal, reliable wastewater treatment and water resource sustainability.

Constructed Wetlands, Horizontal Flow Reed Beds, Wastewater Treatment, Phragmites and Typha Plants, Physicochemical Pollutant Removal, Microbiological Indicators, Fecal Coliforms and Helminth Eggs, Water Quality Improvement, Senegal Water Reuse Standards, Sustainable Water Management, Agricultural Irrigation Reuse, Nutrient Removal Efficiency, Environmental Engineering, Ecological Sanitation Systems

Ndiaye, A. , Coundoul, F. , Deme, A. , Armengol, A. and Senghor, A. (2024) Performance of a Horizontal Flow Constructed Reed Bed Filter for Municipal Wastewater Treatment: The Case Study of the Prototype Installed at Gaston Berger University, Saint-Louis, Senegal. Natural Resources, 15, 1-16. doi: 10.4236/nr.2024.151001.