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Constructed wetlands are well known as highly efficient system to treat wastewater from different sources. This treatment system is cost-effective for reuse in desert areas. A continuous flow, free water surface (FWS) pilot wetland using the duckweed plant Lemna gibba L. was constructed at the Blaustein Institute for Desert Research in Kiryat Sde Boker of the Negev, Israel, and operated on domestic primary effluents. Water quality and system efficiency were observed during the experiment for reuse purposes. Results indicated that, hydraulic residence time averaged 4.26 +/- 0.61 d, average influent flow rate was 0.234 +/- 0.027 m(3)/d and hydraulic load 0.22 +/- 0.03 m/d. Hydraulic efficiency in the system was high and allowed good settling conditions. Suspended solids and organic matter removals were the highest and effluent concentrations were 13.1 +/- 9.7 and 40.3 +/- 11.9 mg/l for TSS and total BOD5, respectively. Nitrogen removal was lower (10-20%) but slightly increased with higher nitrogen loads. Therefore, nitrogen content in the plants was high (4.3 +/- 0.5 %/kg dry plant). Phosphorus removal was negligible. High removal for fecal coliform (similar to95%) and effluent turbidity ( > 50%) were also observed. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.