Constructed Wetlands
A constructed wetland is a way of treating sewage effluent without the need for a mechanical sewage treatment plant. More commonly known as reed beds (due to the type of planting used) they are the most environmentally friendly and sustainable form of treatment presently available. Treatment occurs all year round, but during the summer months the discharge of treated effluent is significantly reduced through transpiration, evaporation and absorption, reducing the environmental impact at the discharge point, which is usually a stream or river. Although only recently having been brought to the public`s attention, the constructed wetland has been used for many years overseas and in Victorian times withy beds were commonly used in the same way.
Applications
David has designed, supervised or constructed over 1,900 reed bed scheme for a whole variety of applications, such as domestic dwellings, restaurants, hotels, public houses, golf clubs, caravan parks, leisure centres, industrial parks. In fact they can be used for any application, be it domestic sewage or industrial effluent. Treatment occurs all year round, but becomes more effective during the growing season of the reeds, making reed beds the preferred treatment option for seasonally effected applications, such as caravan parks, hotels or visitor centres. The only requirement is sufficient land!
How Reed Beds Work
In simple terms, a reed bed can be seen as a low loaded fixed film filter with in-built sedimentation. Well that`s the technical bit over, a primary tank is required to retain the organic material, the effluent then gravitates or is pumped to the reed bed. Picture a shallow excavation, like a large shallow swimming pool, membrane lined and filled with appropriate gravel and stone. Plant the reeds and that in a nutshell is a reed bed. Dimensions, shape and number of beds vary with type of application, flow rate and organic loading, and not forgetting quality of treated effluent required.
David has constructed reed beds with one man and a JCB (not forgetting the dog) but is equally at home project managing a large construction crew for a project such as a reed bed for a township. The reed beds have won many environmental awards. Organizations like RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) have used many of David`s designs to treat waste water from their field offices and field study centres.
If you require additional technical information on Reed Beds or a site visit please contact David direct.
