Sludge Treatment in Reed Beds Systems – Development, design, experiences

There are important differences in the environmental perspectives and costs involved in mechanical sludge dewatering followed by disposal on agricultural land compared to reed bed sludge treatment. The effect on the environment of the operation of a Sludge Treatment in Reed Beds system is seen as quite limited compared to traditional sludge treatment systems such as mechanical dewatering and drying, with their accompanying use of chemicals; incineration; direct deposition on landfill sites, etc. After reduction, dewatering, and mineralisation in a reed bed sludge treatment system, sludge with a solids content of 0.5-3% can attain depending on the sludge quality dry solids content of up to 20-40%. In addition, mineralisation removes up to 25% of the organic matter in the sludge. The quality of the final product in sludge reed beds with respect to pathogen removal and mineralisation of hazardous organic compounds after treatment make it possible to recycle the biosolids to agriculture.