Our proposal to divert the outfall from the Faversham sewage works into a reed bed system gained a lot of positive support, however further findings have shown some drawbacks, reports Eldon Hinchliffe. Reeds spread very quickly and clog up the system and therefore need to be managed. Traditionally this was done by hand-reaping the reeds for thatch but we now doubt this is feasible. With the life span of a reed bed anywhere between 5-15 years, depending on the quantity of ‘nutrition’ in the water, we do not see this as sustainable.
Another plant-based system that aims to remove contaminants from sewage is a Wetland Ecosystem Treatment. WET systems are designed to use natural processes involving wetland vegetation, soils and their associated microbes to purify polluted water and produce a usable and marketable end product such as willow wands for basket making.
Benefits of a WET system include:
- Biodiversity and wildlife habitats that will attract frogs, toads and newts, insects, pond life and birds that will also be of interest to walkers, bird watchers and other naturalists. We could use coppiced wood to form walkways through the site
- Cost savings once the system is established and electricity, gas or other types of carbon generating fuel are no longer required
- Secondary treatment of the water, allowing greatly purified water to be returned to the aquifer and/or Faversham Creek
- A Faversham-based cottage industry making baskets, hurdles and furniture from the willow wands.
We believe that with these benefits, a WET system would be more attractive than reed beds and much easier to manage.