Treatment Wetlands are natural, biological treatment systems and, as such, undergo changes as they mature. Similarly, external factors such as deviations in the hydraulic and contaminant load characteristics of wastewater fed to them can have an impact on their capability to perform to required standards. Often an event, such as a sludge spill or upstream failure can substantially affect operation and performance. The discharge standards themselves may also be altered by the regulator demanding increased levels of performance from the system. All of the above can lead to the need for varying levels of system refurbishment.
Having constructed, monitored and operated thousands of wetland systems Global Wetland Technology has widespread knowledge of refurbishment options and the skills and techniques required to undertake them in the most cost and technically efficient manner. Refurbishment does not always involve a remedial action but can also involve an enhancement or upgrade of the system such as altering the hydraulic design to address increased effluent volumes or retrofitting aeration systems to manage increased contaminant loads.
In Global Wetland Technology’s experience the following stages in refurbishment are required.
- Assess the condition of the wetland system
- Review historical performance including variability in loads
- Review with the client future plans - including predicted loads over the next 5-10 years
- Specify and cost a refurbishment/enhancement plan and review with the client, set timeline
