Reed Bed Sewage Treatment Systems
The treatment of various types of pollution in waters has been carried out naturally for a considerable number of years by differing types of plant life.
In Europe these natural systems have over the past 30 years been successfully harnessed to treat sewage and many other pollutants in waste waters.
The partners in the practice have been involved with the design and installation of various different Reed Bed Sewage Treatment Systems since 1986.
Our involvement in the early days was for the design and installation of Reed Bed Sewage Treatment Systems for Yorkshire Water Authority, at the Holtby, and the Westow Sewage Treatment works using the methods developed in Germany in the late 1970's.
Since that period when the works have matured to produce satisfactory effluents, there have been developed various other methods of Reed Bed Sewage Treatment systems.
The larger Water Companies have now all successfully installed Reed Bed Sewage Treatment systems, and in particular Severn Trent Water have utilised these systems at well over 130 sites.
The principle of the treatment of sewage by Reed Beds is relatively simple.
The Common Reed ( Phragmites Australis.) has the ability to transfer oxygen from its leaves, down through its stem, porous speta and rhizomes, and out via its root system into the rhizosphere ( root system.)
As a result of this action, a very high population of micro-organisms occurs in the rhizosphere, with zones of aerobic, anoxic, and anaerobic conditions.
Therefore with the waste water moving very slowly and carefully through the mass of Reed roots, this liquid can be successfully treated, in a manner somewhat similar to conventional biological filter bed systems of sewage treatment.
Earlier Reed Bed Sewage Treatment systems, used the horizontal flow type of reed bed, where the liquid flows horizontally through the bed.
However it is essential that any form of treatment of sewage should have the capability to not only treat the sewage effectively, but also that its maturation time should be kept to a minimum.
To achieve this the reed plants are partially pre-grown, and also with the development of a vertical reed bed system, this maturity of the total system can be more readily achieved.
Reed Bed Sewage Treatment Systems can be used to treat a variety of pollutional loadings, but great care must always be exercised in their design and implementation.
Details are shown of some examples of varying types of Reed Bed Sewage Treatment Systems, which offer an effective form of treatment, and in future years reduced maintenance costs.
- Vertical and Horizontal Reed Bed System (for flat or sloping site)
- Horizontal Bed System (for flat or sloping site)
- Sewage Treatment Works with a Tertiary Reed Bed (for a sloping site)
When pumping is carried out within the system for two or more properties, it is always advisable that a twin pump installation, with a duty / standby arrangement be considered, to avoid any problems.
Vertical and Horizontal Beds System
Flat Site
Sloping Site
Key
- A Existing Septic Tank
- B Pumping Station (if required.)
- C Vertical Reed Bed
- D Pumping Station
- E Vertical Reed Bed
- F Humus Tank
- G Balancing Tank
- H Horizontal Reed Bed
- J Flow Control Chamber
Horizontal Reed Bed System for a Flat or Sloping Site
Key
- A Existing Septic Tank
- B Pumping Station (if required.)
- C Vertical Reed Bed
- D Pumping Station
- E Vertical Reed Bed
- F Humus Tank
- G Balancing Tank
- H Horizontal Reed Bed
- J Flow Control Chamber
Sewage Treatment Works with a Tertiary Reed Bed
This system is similar to those used by many Water Companies, where the main treatment of the sewage is normally undertaken in a packaged type of sewage treatment plant, and the reed bed is used to act as a tertiary treatment module.
Any excessive storm flows in the sewage into the works, by-pass the main treatment unit ( to avoid hydraulically overloading it ) and as they are usually considerably weaker strength, these excess flows are then treated in the reed bed.
CONSULTATION WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AGENCY IS ALWAYS NECESSARY BEFORE IMPLEMENTING ANY SCHEME.
For further impartial advice on any problems associated with all types of sewage and effluent treatment contact Johnston Smith Consulting - The Independent Specialists.