Significance of Addressing Persistence of Pathogens and Micropollutants to Enhance Reuse of Treated Sewages Using Constructed Wetlands

This study addresses the occurrence, monitoring and treatment of micropollutants as well as pathogens. The persistent release of micropollutants with wastewater effluent may cause destructive effects on human health and environment. However, the investigation of undetected micropollutants requires more advanced analytical instrumentation and procedures due to their occurrence at trace concentration. If one intends to subject the treated effluents to reuse, there is a need for effective monitoring as well as elimination of pathogens and micropollutants from secondary and especially tertiary effluents. The mechanized treatment technologies including sequencing batch reactor, activated sludge process and extended aeration are less effective for the removal of the pathogens. On the other hand, significant removal of pathogens and micropollutants is exhibited by the natural treatment systems. Hence, constructed wetland is of distinctive importance among the natural treatment systems for the treatment as well as reuse of sewages and sullages in rural as well as peri-urban communities.