Treatment of municipal wastewater by vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland: Data collection on removal efficiency using Phragmites Australis and Cyperus Papyrus

The data of this document highlights a comparative analysis between the Phragmites Australis and Cyperus Papyrus planted in vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland (VSSFCW) independently implemented at pilot scale for the treatment of domestic wastewater. At the exit of the primary lagoon a pipe was installed to feed a constant flow of 0.6 m³/day to each of the two constructed wetlands. Each unit had a retention time of 1.12 days and a hydraulic load rate of 0.2 m/day. To evaluate the efficiency of the treatment, physical, chemical and biological parameters were monitored for three consecutive months. Water samples in the influent and effluent of each experimental wetland were analyzed. At the end of the monitoring, Cyperus Papyrus had a better removal of total phosphorus (50%), ammoniacal nitrogen (69.69%), biochemical oxygen demand (69.87%), chemical oxygen demand (80.69%), total coliforms (98.08%) and fecal coliforms (95.61%). Meanwhile, Phragmites Australis eliminated total solids better (62.85%). These data may be useful for comparative purposes on domestic wastewater treatment using Phragmites Australis and Cyperus Papyrus planted in VSSFCW.