Abstract
The design and development of constructed reed beds for secondary, tertiary and storm outflow treatment is described from the experience of a major water utility in the Midland region of the UK. There were only two trial sites in 1987, but 125 sites by June 1995. The problems and their resolution with the establishment ofPhragmites in gravel filled beds are described.
Two secondary treatment systems with horizontal subsurface flow beds arranged in terraces show that dilute sewage can be treated to a good secondary standard, but that nitrification is likely to be only partially complete. The example of four tertiary treatment applications showed that, for beds sized at 0.7 to 1.2 m2/pe, effluents consistently averaged better than 5 mg/l BOD5 and 10 mg/l TSS. Three sites showed improved removal of ammonium nitrogen (N) after the first year, with better than 50% removal. One site, treating highly nitrified secondary effluent, showed a small net increase in ammonium-N even after 4 years. Samples taken by the regulatory authority from 79 sites confirm the ability of the system to meet tight standards for BOD5. A comparison made of the performance of storm reed beds during three storm events showed relatively consistent removal of BOD, TSS, ammonia nitrogen and TON.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Boon, A.G. 1986. Report of a Visit by Members and Staff of WRc to Germany (FRG) to Investigate the Root Zone Method of Treatment of Wastewaters. Report 376-s, Water Research Centre, Stevenage.
Cooper, P.F. 1990. European Design and Operations Guidelines for Reed Bed Treatment Systems. Report No. U117. Water Research Centre. Swindon, England.
Cooper, P. and Green, B. 1995. Reed bed treatment systems for sewage treatment in the United Kingdom — The first 10 years experience. Wat. Sci. Tech. 32: 317–327.
Crabtree, H.E. and Rowell, M.R. 1993. Standardization of small wastewater treatment plant for rapid design and implementation. Wat. Sci. Tech. 28: 17–24.
Green, M.B. 1993. Growing confidence in the use of constructed reed beds for polishing waste water effluents. Proc. Water Environ. Fed. 66th Annual Conference and Exposition 9: 86–98.
Green, M.B. and Martin, J.R. 1994. Constructed reed beds clean up stormwater overflows on small wastewater treatment plants. Proc. Water Environ. Fed. 67th Annual Conference and Exposition. 8: 113–124.
Green, M.B., Upton, J. 1993. Reed bed treatment for small communities — UK experience.In: Moshiri, G.A. (ed.), Constructed Wetlands for Water Quality Improvement. pp. 517–524. Lewis Publishers, Boca Raton.
Green, M.B., Upton, J. 1994. Constructed reed beds: A cost effective way to polish wastewater effluents for small commmunities. Wat. Environ. Res. 66: 188–192.
Green, M. B. and Upton, J. 1995. Constructed reed beds — appropriate technology for small communities. Wat. Sci. Tech. 32: 339–348.
Schierup, H.H., Brix, H. and Lorenzen, B. 1990. Wastewater treatment in constructed reed beds in Denmark—State of the art.In: Cooper, P.F. and Findlater, B.C. (eds). Constructed Wetlands in Water Pollution Control. pp. 495–505. Pergamon Press, Oxford.
Upton, J. and P. Griffin 1990. Reed bed treatment for sewer dykes.In: Cooper, P.F., and Findlater, B.C. (eds). Constructed Wetlands in Water Pollution Control. pp. 391–398. Pergamon Press, Oxford.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Green, M.B. Experience with establishment and operation of reed bed treatment for small communities in the UK. Wetlands Ecol Manage 4, 147–158 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01879234
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01879234