Initial efficacy assessment of vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland as a nature-based solution for dairy plant wastewater treatment in the Philippines

Year 2026, Volume: 10 Issue: 1, 13 - 23

Val Irvin Mabayo , Felisa Gomba

https://doi.org/10.31127/tuje.1725880

Abstract

This pilot study investigated the potential of vertical subsurface flow constructed wetlands (VSSF CWs) as a nature-based solution for treating wastewater from dairy processing plants. The study focused on the removal of key pollutants, including biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total suspended solids (TSS), oil and grease, nitrate, and pH. These parameters are particularly significant for dairy product manufacturing industries and are regulated by the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) under Department Administrative Order (DAO) 2016-08 (PSIC code 105). The study investigated the removal of these pollutants in VSSF CWs under 7-day and 14-day hydraulic retention times. Four wetland systems were included: one unplanted control and three planted with Dracaena sanderiana, Chrysopogon zizanioides, and Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. While the lack of replication limits statistical comparisons between treatments, the results of this exploratory study suggest several trends. Pollutant removal tended to improve with a 14-day hydraulic retention time (HRT). Dracaena sanderiana appeared to exhibit the highest BOD5 reduction from the initial concentration of 2680 to 42 mg L-1 (98.43%), followed by Chrysopogon zizanioides from 2680 to 150 mg L-1 (94.40%) and Ipomoea aquatica Forsk. from 2680 to 280 mg L-1 (89.55%). Oil and grease concentrations generally fell below detectable limits (<1 mg L-1) after 14 days, indicating effective removal. Nitrate levels remained below the DENR effluent standard (DAO 2016-08) throughout the study period at levels < 0.03. Finally, all systems’ pH levels were reduced to near-neutral range (7.35–7.68) after a 14-day HRT. These preliminary findings suggest that VSSF CWs may be a viable nature-based solution for dairy wastewater treatment. Yet, further studies are needed to validate these observations and optimize system design.

Keywords

Vertical subsurface flow constructed wetland , nature-based solution , phytoremediation , wastewater management

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