Hybrid Constructed Wetland Performance Using Cyperus rotundus for Batik Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Batik industry wastewater contains organic matter, suspended solids, phenolic compounds, and heavy metals that can pollute water bodies if left untreated. This study evaluated the Hybrid Constructed Wetland (HCW) with Vertical and Horizontal Subsurface Flow using Cyperus rotundus to treat batik wastewater at laboratory scale.  Two Hydraulic Retention Times (HRT) of 4 and 8 days were compared, representing the first application of C. rotundus in a hybrid VSSF-HSSF configuration for batik wastewater treatment. Parameters analyzed included BOD, COD, TSS, TDS, phenol, total chromium, pH, and temperature. Initial characterization showed BOD, COD, TSS, phenol, and pH exceeded quality standards, while TDS and total chromium complied. HCW treatment showed the best overall performance at an HRT of 8 days for most parameters, with removal efficiencies of 83.73% (BOD), 91.36% (COD), 98.98% (TSS), 98.56% (total chromium), although phenol removal was marginally higher at 4 days (98.27% vs 96.30%), while TDS increased by 71.21% at 8 days. These results indicate that the HCW system with C. rotundus effectively improves batik wastewater quality and offers potential as a simple, eco-friendly treatment alternative, although BOD and COD concentrations remained above the applicable quality standards after treatment, and further optimization is needed to fully meet effluent standards.