See more from this Division: General Discipline Sessions
See more from this Session: Environmental Geoscience II
Abstract:
A large (10 feet by 50 feet by .75 feet) SSFW was dosed with wastewater from a 1500 gallon 2-chambered septic tank at 500 gallons/day for 3 years and periodically drained and filled to assess porosity loss. The treatment efficiency was evaluated by comparing percent reduction of CBOD, TSS, N and P with porosity loss.
Five (5) smaller (2 feet by 10 feet by 1.25 feet) SSFWs were dosed proportionally and porosity was measured in a similar fashion to the large wetland. The SSFW system variables in the smaller wetlands included media, plants, dosing mechanisms and aeration. The systems were sampled weekly over 9 months for CBOD, TSS, N and P.
Although the large wetland experienced a loss in porosity the treatment efficiency did not appear to decrease significantly. Some of the smaller wetlands showed significant differences in treatment efficiencies but differences in porosity losses were not readily distinguished. These results indicate concerns over the finite lifespan of subsurface-flow treatment wetlands may not be as serious as previously thought.
See more from this Division: General Discipline Sessions
See more from this Session: Environmental Geoscience II