FRENCH WETLANDS: A PROMISING TECHNOLOGY FOR UNIVERSAL SANITATION-LONG-TERM EXPERIENCES

Hoffmann H.; Miglio Toledo R.M.; Sánchez Celis G.; Villafranca Marchan B.I.; Guevara Velazco B.R. · Ecologia Aplicada (2026) · DOI: 10.21704/rea.v24i2.2383

Resumen

The objective of universalizing the sanitation service drives the search for efficient and sustainable solutions in its operation, especially in small wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), where the operating cost is a decisive factor. In this context, this study analyzed the potential of a type of wetland called ‘French system’, which uses two stages for primary and secondary wastewater treatment. Based on operational experiences of two WWTPs using this technology for 12 and 8 years, requirements were established that allow the use of the first stage as the sole treatment, achieving a removal of more than 85% of the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), with a limit value of 60 mg/l. For the second stage, the efficiencies of vertical and horizontal flow wetlands were compared. Both showed effectiveness in BOD removal, reaching final BOD concentrations below 8 mg/l in the treated effluent, meeting the requirements for effluent reuse. These long-term experiences show the immense potential of wetlands and their technological variations to contribute economically and sustainably to basic sanitation demands in Peru. © Departamento Académico de Biología, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Lima – Perú.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina