In order to investigate the potential of vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs), a 24.5 m2 surface area filled with gravel and planted with Heliconia psittacorum, was implemented as an experimental system for domestic wastewater treatment in southern Brazil. The aims of the study were to (i) evaluate the performance of a full scale system septic tank (ST) and VFCW for decentralized domestic wastewater treatment, and (ii) identify the influence of Heliconia for hydraulic characteristics and consequent performance of the VFCW. The applied load rates in the VFCW were, on average, 10 g biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) m-2 day-1, 4 g NH4+-N m-2 day-1 and a hydraulic loading rate (HLR) of 60 mm day-1. Physicochemical analyses of wastewater treatment were carried out through grab sample methodology, for 5 months. Additionally, hydrodynamic tests were performed during plant development using rhodamine. The study demonstrated the viability of the system for decentralized wastewater treatment in Brazil, with average removal efficiencies of 78% for chemical oxygen demand (COD) and 84% for total suspended solids (TSS), according to national effluent discharge regulations. In spite of media's large size, the VFCW achieved good average removal efficiencies. The tracer test results showed that the VFCW average hydraulic detention time increased as plants grew. This may have occurred due to interception of wastewater applied on the macrophyte's leaves as well as a reduction in filter media permeability caused by the spread of roots and rhizomes. These results indicate that the plants played an important role in increasing wastewater contact time in wetlands with high hydraulic conductivity such as a gravel VFCW.
Keywords: Domestic wastewater; constructed wetland; removal efficiency; vertical flow.