Reed bed filtration Installation across Norfolk and Suffolk

REED BED FILTRATION

WHY INSTALL REED BED FILTRATION SYSTEM?

Reed bed systems offer an eco-friendly approach to enhancing the water quality from septic tanks or sewage treatment plants before releasing it into the environment. These systems rely solely on natural, sustainable ecological processes and function through a gravity-driven process that requires no energy input, resulting in low operational and maintenance costs.

WHAT DOES IT DO?

A reed bed can significantly improve the quality of wastewater entering a drainage field or surrounding watercourse. The process involves allowing bacteria, fungi, and micro-organisms to digest and break down the wastewater, resulting in a thorough cleaning of the water to a point where it can be safely discharged into the environment.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Wastewater from the house, including that from toilets, sinks, and baths, is initially discharged into the septic tank, where it settles. It is then directed to the reeds, which facilitate oxygen delivery to the soil, resulting in the growth of micro-organisms, algae, bacteria, and fungi in the soil. These microorganisms digest the waste contaminants, thereby purifying the wastewater to the point where it is safe to discharge into a land drain, soakaway, or watercourse.

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WHAT NEXT?

Reed beds are not a standalone sewage treatment system but are typically used in conjunction with a septic tank, making them a form of wastewater treatment plant or secondary treatment. Nevertheless, reed bed systems offer an excellent solution for remote properties that lack easy access to a permitted watercourse.

1 WE WILL COME OUT EXAMINE YOUR PLOT

To optimise the effectiveness of a reed bed system, it is crucial to have a thorough understanding of the size, shape, and topography of your land. Additionally, it's essential to discuss the current and future volumes of wastewater moving through the system.

Ideally, a reed bed should be situated in an area that receives adequate sunlight to promote reed growth and be positioned downhill from the primary treatment unit, allowing for gravity to facilitate flow through the treatment process.

2 WE WILL DESIGN THE SYSTEM

There are two main types of reed bed filtration systems: horizontal flow (HF) and vertical flow (VF) reed beds. HF reed beds are shallow, lined structures that are continuously flooded to just below the gravel line. The effluent enters at one end and flows horizontally through the reeds' bacteria-rich root zone before being discharged on the far side

VF reed beds are deeper structures, consisting of layers of various-sized gravels planted with reeds. This free-draining system is delivered to the top of the bed in batches by a gravity dosing unit or electrical pump, flooding the surface of the bed and then draining through.

3 INSTALLATION

To create a reed bed system, the designated area is excavated and lined with a waterproof membrane. Inflows and outflows for water are established, and a pump may be installed if necessary. The bed is then filled with a base layer of pebbles, pea gravel and sand before the reeds are planted.

While it can take up to two to three years for the reeds to fully establish, the sewage treatment system can still be used during this time as the reeds require nutrients to grow. The beds can also function without the reeds.