Design of household wastewater phytoremediation system utilizing water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) and water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Abstract

This experimental study aimed to develop a household wastewater phytoremediation system using Pistia stratiotes and Eichhomia crassipes as natural purifiers. The surfactant removal efficiency from household wastewater was determined in the study. A pilot design was conducted on a household approach to provide baseline data for the actual design. Wastewater was collected in three replicates through random sampling on days 1, 3, and 6 from the constructed wastewater phytoremediation system. Results showed that mean surfactant concentration of 0.001 mg/L for both P. stratiotes and E. crassipes, pH (7.1 and 6.5), BOD (9 mg/L and 10 mg/L), oil and grease (2 mg/L and 3 mg/L) levels decreased while DO (9 mg/L and 9 mg/L) levels increased after six days of treatment. A dependent t-test for the pre- and post-test for both plants revealed a significant difference in the pH, BOD, oil and grease, and surfactant levels at 0.05 significance level. After three days, surfactant removal efficiency was 84.825% and 95.420% for P. stratiotes and E. crassipes, respectively. After six days, removal efficiency for both setups was 99.939%. Using ANOVA and Bonferroni Post-Hoc Analysis, there was a significant difference in the amount of surfactants when compared to DAO-2016-08, with p-values of P. stratiotes = 9.387x1 O-6 and E. crassipes = 1.112x10-5 .The designed household wastewater treatment system was proven to be effective as the parameters tested were set within DAO-2016-08 at Day 6 of the treatment in both setups.