Performance of a Dynamic Roughing Filter (DRF) coupled with a Horizontal Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland (HSSFCW) in the treatment of a wastewater was studied in tropical conditions. The results show that in HSSFCW planted with Cyperus papyrus and Phragmites mauritianus in series, the removal rates of TDS, TSS, COD and BOD5 were 72.07%, 80.01%, 81.22% and 78.37%, respectively, while in the second HSSFCW planted with Cyperus papyrus only, the removal rates were 71.00%, 79.00%, 73.76 and 75.78%, respectively. HSSFCW planted with mixed macrophytes, performed better than a HSSFCW planted with single macrophyte. This was attributed to synergetic effects of Cyperus horizontal roots and Phragmites vertical plant roots weaved and entangled in cell 1 providing a good filter mat and a better bacterial attachment. Thus the use of two macrophytes planted in series was recognized to be responsible for better performance of HSSFCW cell 1 in pollutants removal from wastewater
