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International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)

e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 12 Issue: 11 | Nov 2025

p-ISSN: 2395-0072

www.irjet.net

"Study on Root Zone Technology on Treating Domestic Wastewater" Anant P. Pandit1, Dr. Kulkarni A. D.2 1Student of M. Tech, Water Resource Engineering, Dept. of Civil Engineering, KGBS’ Bharat Ratna Indira Gandhi

College of Engineering, Solapur, Maharashtra, India - 413255

2Professor, Dept. of Civil Engineering, KGBS’ Bharat Ratna Indira Gandhi College of Engineering, Solapur,

Maharashtra, India - 413255 ---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------

Abstract - An The study examines how effective Root Zone

large amounts of domestic and industrial wastewater has become one of the biggest environmental challenges of the 21st century (https://ln.run/UQYws).

Technology (RZT) is as a sustainable, low-cost, eco-friendly way to treat domestic wastewater. This approach is especially useful in areas where traditional sewage treatment plants struggle due to high operating costs and maintenance problems.

According to global estimates by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), nearly 80% of wastewater generated worldwide is discharged untreated into natural water bodies. This untreated discharge pollutes rivers, lakes, and groundwater aquifers. It leads to eutrophication, the spread of water-borne diseases, and severe ecological damage (Survase et al. 2023). In developing nations like India, the rate of urban growth far outpaces infrastructure development, making wastewater management a critical issue (Desai et al. 2014).

Researchers collected wastewater samples from the Degaon STP region in Solapur and treated them using a laboratoryscale Horizontal Subsurface Flow (HSSF) constructed wetland system. This system was planted with chosen macrophytes. The experiment looked at how different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) and plant species affected the removal of key pollutants. These pollutants included BOD, COD, TSS, color, sulfates, total nitrogen, and ammonical nitrogen.

Domestic wastewater, also known as sewage, includes a mix of water and waste from households, such as human excreta, food scraps, soaps, and detergents (Meshram et al. 2020). If untreated, it can spread pathogens and toxic materials, making the water unsafe for human use or irrigation. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB, 2015) reports that a significant amount of sewage generated in Indian cities goes untreated due to limited treatment capacity and poor maintenance of existing facilities.

The results showed a clear improvement in effluent quality with longer HRTs. Plant species like Canna indica, Typha latifolia, and Phragmites australis helped reduce pollutants through their ability to filter, break down microbes, and absorb nutrients. Overall, the study supports the idea that RZT is a promising decentralized treatment option. It can produce treated water that is suitable for irrigation and landscaping. This method also aids in sustainable wastewater management and protects the environment in semi-urban and rural areas.

1.1 Background Of The Study

The city of Solapur in Maharashtra illustrates this growing problem. With a population over one million and daily wastewater generation of about 88 million liters (MLD), the city lacks sufficient treatment infrastructure (Meshram et al. 2020). The current Degaon Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), meant for 54 MLD, has been out of service since 1985. This has led to untreated sewage being directly discharged into the Shelgi Nallah, which flows into the Sina River (Meshram et al. 2020). This situation has caused considerable pollution of surface and groundwater sources, negatively impacting the health and livelihoods of communities like Kawathe and Gulwanchi villages, who rely on these waters for irrigation and domestic use (https://ln.run/BgGsu).

This Water is one of the most vital natural resources for all forms of life on Earth (Meshram et al. 2020). It plays a key role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting agricultural productivity, industrial development, and human health (Survase et al. 2023). However, rapid urbanization, industrialization, and population growth have significantly harmed the quality and availability of freshwater resources (Desai et al. 2014). The production of

Given the limitations of traditional wastewater treatment systems, which often consume a lot of energy, require complex operations, and are costly, there is a need to explore sustainable, low-cost, and eco-friendly alternatives (Meshram et al. 2020). Root Zone Technology (RZT), a type of constructed wetland system, has emerged as a practical solution that combines biological and ecological processes for effective wastewater treatment (Survase et al. 2023).

Key Words: Root Zone Technology (RZT), Constructed Wetlands, Domestic Wastewater, Hydraulic Retention Time (HRT), Pollutant Removal Efficiency, Macrophytes, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Sustainable Wastewater Treatment

1.INTRODUCTION

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