Reed Beds are a simple cost-effective solution for improving the performance and quality of Sewage Treatment Works’ final effluents. They have the advantages of very low capital and revenue costs, and have low manpower requirements.

Many Waste Water Treatment Plants are overloaded, resulting in the works struggling to meet their compliance consents. In order to ensure the works comply with the discharge consent levied Greener Waste can now offer cost effective and efficient modular tertiary treatment systems based on unique Reed Bed technology. An example of this is a recent installation where suspended solids have been reduced from around 60mg/l to under 5mg/l.

The beds are free standing and built up on a pre prepared flat surface from specially designed media containment units to support the media (note the media may be graded to catch solids of varying size or alternatively, different media can be used in the same bed, for example to remove phosphate or heavy metals).

A unique feature of the bed design is the ability to support empty zones which can be used to flush out and remove entrapped solids or as aeration lanes for improved nitrification.

The integrity of the bed is ensured using three layers of waterproof membrane. The beds are supported by a unique, patented enclosure system. Smaller installations are ready for use within a week and can be easily commissioned and operated. In most cases no planning permission is needed as the beds are free standing and if required can be dismantled and removed from site.

Settlement tanks are often used as a tertiary treatment but ever exacting standards mean the treatment provided by final settlement tanks is inadequate. The Modular High Efficiency Reed Bed can easily be retro-fitted after the final settlement tanks and can improve final effluent to a much higher standard with the additional functions of improved nitrification, BOD removal and where necessary the removal of Phosphate.

Greener Waste Ltd have developed a unique Phosphate Removal Media which can be inserted into the media containment units to form Phosphate removal zones. The media can be removed and used as an addition to nitrogen rich compost after being processed. The Reed Bed can easily be replenished with new media without damage or disruption to the overall integrity of the bed. The system provides a highly sustainable process for removal of Phosphate on small to medium sized works, not only producing a high quality final effluent but also allowing recovery of a valuable arable resource.

The Modular High Efficiency Reed Bed has numerous added features which make it a truly unique product. Containment Units can be left empty so voids can be created without effecting the integrity of the beds. This feature can be used to create settlement zones, aeration lanes and to allow remote monitoring systems to be incorporated within the bed to keep a log of flow rates, temperature, pH and turbidity. It enables works to maintain consent levels and enables remote management of the beds. Where required we can incorporate an SMS system which can monitor flow rates and alert operating staff to changes in the bed. The system can make sure regular data is captured which helps monitor performance over the life of the bed.

• Cost-effective
• Ease and speed of installation- No planning permission needed
• Low Operation and Maintenance costs
• Efficient and simple to construct
• Can be erected anywhere with a flat surface
• Low civil engineering requirements
• No Hazardous Materials or chemicals needed
• Allows for use of mixed media and recovery of that media
• Different sized media can be used without ruining the integrity of the bed
• Can be used as Secondary or Tertiary treatment
• Unique ability to create voids in the bed
• Remote monitoring using SMS technology
• Large cost savings on life long maintenance