Reciprocating subsurface-flow wetalands for municpal and on-site wastewater treatment

摘要

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), has developed and patented a novel technology for aerating the root zone and rock substrates of subsurface flow constructed wetlands. The technology, referred to as recurrent reciprocation, was retrofitted to a municipal subsurface-flow wetland treatment system in November 1995. Prior to the retrofit, the municipal wastewater treatment system was failing with respect to several NPDES water quality parameters including fecal coliform bacteria counts. Within six months of retrofitting the reciprocating system, water quality and fecal bacteria populations were significantly improved and have continued to improve for the past four years. Data will be presented comparing water quality data prior to and after installation of the recurrent reciprocating technology.