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 WERF - "Small Scale Constructed Wetlands Wastewater Treatment Systems"
In 2002, Water Environment Research Foundation (WERF) granted research funds to a group of experienced professionals, lead by Scott Wallace, P.E., and Vice President of NAWE, under Project 01-CTS-5 to establish up-to-date design information on the feasibility, design, operation, and maintenance of small-scale constructed wetland wastewater treatment systems.
Today, most existing databases and design documents on constructed wetland performance focus exclusively on larger systems (great than 50,000 gallons per day). As more and more communities are turning toward on-site and decentralized facilities for their wastewater needs, there is a greater necessity for accurate design and operation information for these systems.
Work was recently completed on the draft final report for Feasibility, Design Criteria, and O&M Requirements for Small Scale Constructed Wetland Wastewater Treatment Systems. This final report represents the culmination of a 2-year research project on the use, distribution, and performance of small-scale wetland treatment systems throughout the world. The final report, which contains over 100 original figures, diagrams, and illustrations, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2004.
NDWRCDP Hydrogeological Evaluations for Larger Cluster and High Density Wastewater Soil Adsorption Systems.
There is a demonstrated need for better wastewater alternatives, even in the United
States. On-site septic systems serve approximately 25% of the US population (USEPA
1997), and in 1995 alone, over 2.5 million septic systems malfunctioned (NODP).
Contrary to the belief that regional wastewater facilities are solving the nation’s
problems, more Americans are using septic systems now than in 1990 (NODP). Many
areas currently served by failed or non-existent septic systems cannot be corrected
through regionalization due to low population densities, low per-capita income, rugged
terrain, and other barriers, leaving on-site and small cluster facilities as the only viable
wastewater option (Drake, 2000). In addition, residential clusters are becoming more
widespread as a land-planning tool (Arendt, 1999), resulting in the increasing need for
community wastewater treatment facilities (Sykes & Kopischke, 1996).
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