Reed beds - a type of constructed wetland - have been used in municipal wastewater systems since the 1980s. But innovations are now widening their application to treat high-strength, industrial wastewaters such as landfill leachate, dairy waste, hydrocarbon contaminated groundwater and contaminated run-off.

Earlier generation passive reed beds had a limit to the efficacy of natural biological, chemical and physical forces to remove pollutants from different types of wastewater.

But that's all changed as wetland technology's taken a 'quantum leap' with Forced Bed Aeration^TM (FBA^TM), according to Tori Sellers from ARM. FBA^TM involves laying a network of pipes below the gravel matrix which bubbles air through the system increasing the oxygen availability providing greater treatment capability.

This relatively simple innovation means a sustainable technology is now available to a wide range of applications previously deemed unsuitable. Particularly difficult effluent loads can now be treated and often in small plots.