Work

Nature-based wastewater treatment technologies: A comprehensive review of constructed wetlands and vermifiltration

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Water scarcity and inefficient wastewater management are critical global challenges. Nature-based solutions (NBS) such as Constructed Wetlands (CWs) and Vermifiltration (VF) have emerged as sustainable, decentralized approaches for wastewater treatment. This systematic review (PRISMA-guided) synthesizes recent evidence on CW and VF performance across multiple wastewater types (domestic, greywater, hospital, dairy, agricultural, and textile). Findings reveal that CWs consistently outperform in nutrient (TP, NH4+-N) and chemical pollutant removal, while VFs excel in TSS removal, rapid stabilization, and pathogen reduction. Importantly, this review highlights knowledge gaps in large-scale implementation and head-to-head trials. The innovative contribution of this work lies in proposing an integrated hybrid CW-VF framework, wherein VF units provide initial solid and organic load reduction, followed by CWs for nutrient polishing and advanced contaminant removal. This hybrid pathway can optimize land use, enhance efficiency, and improve resilience under varying wastewater profiles. Positioned within the global push for SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation), this review provides both a synthesis of current research and a forward-looking strategy for advancing decentralized, eco-friendly wastewater management.

Source: Cleaner Water

DOI: 10.1016/j.clwat.2026.100204

Authors: Amanpreet Kaur, Sudipti Arora, Ajendra Kumar, Arun Karnwal, Rattandeep Singh

Institutions: Gurukul Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Graphic Era University, Lovely Professional University

Language: English

Topic: Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment

Subfield: Waste Management and Disposal

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Clean water and sanitation, Responsible consumption and production, Sustainable cities and communities, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,230