Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and Pathogens removal in an hybrid CW system for a tourist facility wastewater treatment and reuse

Within the frame of the “SWAMP” project (a demonstration project co-financed by the European Community) an hybrid constructed wetland (CW) system was realized for the treatment of wastewater produced by a medium-size hotel located in Florence, Italy. The system consisted of a 70 m primary treatment by Imhoff tanks, a 160 m HF and a 180 m VF. The results obtained in the first year of operation regarding to the hygienic indicator bacteria (total coliforms, faecal coliforms, faecal streptococci and Escherichia Coli) and some selected organic compounds (Phthalates, PAHs and Estrogens) were reported. In terms of overall performances the following mean removal rates were obtained: COD 94%, BOD5 95%, TSS 90%. The CW system showed a satisfactory functioning of the treatment process, especially related to the sedimentation and filtration processes and to organic matter trapping and degradation inside the reed beds. As regard the EDCs a clear water quality increase during the purification process was observd. PAHs were found below 0.5 μg/l in the inlet and at significantly lower amounts in the outlet of the system. Total inlet phthalates concentration was included in the range 100 to 300 μg/l and this class of compounds showed a certain persistence even in the outlet (10-200 μg/l) due to HDPE liner release. Among the other compounds, 17-α-estradiol and ethynyl-estradiol were revealed in the inlet at concentration below 10 μg/l, while were absent in the outlet.