Performance of Equisetum spp and Zantedeschia aethiopica on the evaluation of artificial wetlands as an alternative for wastewater treatment in rural areas of the Ecuadorian Andes

Constructed wetlands have been used worldwide as an alternative for wastewater treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate two constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment using two different species of macrophyte in order to reduce pollution levels in the Curiquingue Creek belonging to the Baños parish in Cuenca, Ecuador. A pilot plant was constructed using Equisetum spp and Zantedeschia aethiopica with a constant flow of 0.32m3d−1. Each unit was filled with sand and gravel as the porosity medium with a hydraulic retention time of 5 days. To analyze the efficiency of the wetlands, physical and chemical parameters were analyzed in the laboratory. The results obtained in the laboratory showed that the two species of macrophyte showed good efficiency in the removal of organic matter (100% COD-100% BOD5). On the other hand, Equisetum spp showed better efficiency in the removal of NO3− (80.28%) and PO43− (98.57%) meanwhile, Zantedeschia aethiopica showed better efficiency in the removal of TSS (85.71%). Constructed wetlands are an effective and sustainable option for wastewater treatment.