DTC Nature Based Used Water Management

DTC research group has developed and monitored nature based solutions for used water management in Ireland.

DTC Nature Based Used Water Management System in Ireland

DTC research group has developed and monitored nature based solutions for used water management in Ireland.

Used Water Management in Ireland

The typography of settlement in Ireland consists of numerous isolated dwellings, not connected to collective sewage treatment systems. In addition, there are 34 towns currently discharging untreated wastewater into the environment. Natural solutions for wastewater treatment include horizontal and vertical flow reed beds, and evaporative systems such as willow beds. They can be used to recycle water for use in other applications.

Overview
Technology
Outputs

Principles of Natural WWT Systems:

Low Construction & Operating Costs
Minimise power and maintenance requirements
Suitable for remote locations
Fits well into countryside – wildlife habitat
Can provide high quality treatment
Can be constructed with local materials
Removal of BOD, (COD),TSS
Oxidation of NH4-N if designed
Sometimes NO3-N if designed
Sometimes PO4-P but must have suitable media
Can achieve ZERO discharge

Reed beds have been used for the last 50 years to treat wastewater, in Europe. The design has evolved from horizontal reed beds through vertical beds to hybrid beds, and latterly compact vertical flow beds. The principle mode of treatment is a combination of sedimentation, filtration, aerobic/anaerobic degradation, ammonification, nitrification/dentrification, plant uptake and matrix adsorption.

The combination of a reed bed and a willow bed facility installed and monitored in Lynches Lane, Co Dublin has resulted in a zero discharge over the study period.

Studies are ongoing within the DTC Research Group into developing applications for reed willow bed combinations for new build and retro fit systems.

Schematic showing a hybrid vertical and horizontal reed bed system with a willow bed tertiary treatment system

Slope for Vertical beds and excavation for Horizontal bed

Hybrid reed bed system, Parks Dept, South Dublin Co. Co.

Compact vertical flow sand reed bed, (C. Weedon)

Construction of hybrid reed bed, Fingal.

⦁ Nature Based Used Water Treatment Systems

DTC Research Group was established for the promotion of Resilient Environmental, Water and Sanitation Technologies. It is part of the Water Innovation Research Centre within the Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute (ESHI) at TU Dublin. It is supported by the School of Transport and Civil Engineering, TU Dublin.