Advantages of Reedbed Filtration  

Click Here for Issues Raised by YES Reedbed Filtration Studies  

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Domestic, Agricultural and Industrial Effluents

 ·                    The bio-degradation of effluents through a vertical flow, aerobic natural filter system can produce clean clear water and                   NO SMELL

·                    Reedbeds are a low cost alternative, designed for low maintenance and lasts for many years.

·                    Reedbeds are an alternative to costly Western engineering systems which engender dependency and debt

·                    Reedbeds work well on installation, and improve to optimum effectiveness within three months.

·                    They provide the ideal solution to effluent problems in remote locations.

·                    They are an ideal solution to old, broken and problematic septic tank systems.

·                    Reedbeds have been successfully tested with Domestic, Agricultural and Industrial effluents.

·                    While a Reedbed Filtration System does need a certain area of land, the size can be remarkably small.

·                    Reedbed Filtration can bring about much needed and cost effective solutions to the major contamination of freshwater                systems.

·                    They can reduce discharge costs to industry, they can remove the threat of legal action, and they can provide additional indigenous employment.

·                    Yes Reedbeds are looking to form partnerships, particularly with other European Countries.

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Issues Raised by YES Reedbed Filtration Studies

  This study had raised the following issues as to the suitability of Reedbed filtration.

    Arguments                                                    Study Reply

Reedbeds simply                                            These Reedbeds are vertical flow systems.

absorb pollutants :-                                         What remains unaffected by the filtration   process will flow out of the system. 

                                                                        Clear filtrate is evidence of the biodegradation  of the passing effluent by bacteria

Effective filtration is seasonal :-                          Filtration is consistent all year round  

Reedbeds don't work in the winter               Horizontal Reedbeds are anaerobic, which means the limited amount of air and oxygen 

                                                                        available for gas exchange in the roots of the plants, and for the bacteria to be able to 

                                                                        break down the passing pollution, therefore horizontal beds can be less effective in winter

                                                                        YES Vertical flow systems are built to be aerobic providing sufficient oxygen for the

                                                                        break down of pollution all year round. 

There is a build up of Biomass                            YES Vertical flow aerobic Reedbeds allow for the breakdown of biological

in the Reedbeds, clogging them up                       material in aerobic conditions. Where there is air and oxygen, then there 

eventually                                                           is natural breakdown of the plant material, and there is no appreciable 

                                                                          build up of biomass in any form

Reedbeds have a limited life span :-                   With each of the annual savings offered by Reedbed filtration it would 

                                                                        certainly remain cost effective to replace the systems every 10 years. Limited

                                                                         maintenance is required for continual effective filtration.

( YES Reedbeds have been running now for 7 years with no loss of effectiveness)

Reedbeds produce contaminated land :-            The area given over to Reedbed filtration could be said to be contaminated

                                                                        land. However, it is both contained and controlled. Excavated soils could easily 

                                                                        undergo standard re-vegetation methods.

*          Reedbed filtration can play a major role in reducing the ever increasing Domestic, Agricultural, and Industrial contamination of freshwater streams rivers, and coastal seas.

·                    There is always a limit to any science. However, within these limits Reedbed filtration can perform exceedingly well. There are always those who object to each and every technology. Reedbed filtration has yet to be allowed a public platform from which unbiased, considered opinion can be freely formed.

·                    These issues are of concern to the individual. One would hope that finding solutions would be the intent of all authorities and agencies involved with water quality issues, anywhere in the world. How much of the problems of waste water treatment in refugee camps could be solved with these natural systems. 

·                    YES have built more than 62 Reedbed Filtration Systems ( August 2005 ), cleaning many tons of effluent each day. This achievement is dwarfed by the potential, and the potential is dwarfed by the need. Progress is often governed by human prejudice and self interest. However, progress is being made through enlightened thought and minds.

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