About Us

Sludge Treatment Reed Beds (STRB) developed from the planting of reeds into a pre-existing sludge drying beds. Differing from the conventionally constructed reed bed designed for the purpose of wastewater treatment, the STRB’s basic function is to hold sludge, allowing it to dewater leaving behind a sludge cake.

STRB share many design similarities with Vertical Flow (VF) reed beds in that there is a drainage matrix of graduated media in the base. Above the drainage matrix is a substantial freeboard for the accumulation of sludge sufficient for an operating cycle of approximately 10  years.

Sludge is pumped on to the reed bed basin through a series of distribution pipes and over the previously dewatered sludge. Over time, sludge reduction takes place in reed-planted basins. Due to dewatering (draining and evapotranspiration)  the solids content of the sludge remains on the basin surface as sludge residue, whilst the majority of the water content flows vertically through the sludge residue and filter layer.
Drying and mineralisation reduces the liquid sludge volume by as much as 90%, with physical filtration removing almost 100% of the total suspended solids from the STRB effluent. After 10 years of operation, the sludge residue reaches an approximate height of 1.2 - 1.5 metres with a dry solids content of 30-40%. 

A number of modules are used on each installation to allow for rotational dosing and resting periods. Also it allows each bed to be taken out of service in order to remove the dry, treated sludge and then be re-commissioned for another operating cycle.

Sludge treatment reed beds fulfil the requirements of the ‘safe sludge matrix’, producing an ‘enhanced treated product’. Very little power is required to operate these systems. The process is highly automated and can be operated and comprehensively monitored from a remote or centralised location.

Furthermore, unlike mechanical dewatering plant, no chemicals of any type are used in the process, the only power usage is for pumping to and from the installation. There is no noise, the sludge is mineralised to a high degree, the returned liquors are virtually free of solids and the BOD levels very low.