Aardvark project

Waste Water Treatment

Location: Plymouth, UK	Client: X-FAB PLC
Date: 2007	Sector: Water and Environment

To undertake a trial using a reedbed treatment system for the discharge of water arising from a commercial/industrial site to reduce discharge costs and increase environmental credentials.

Aardvark EM Ltd was commissioned by X-FAB Plc to undertake a trial to assess the feasibility of a reedbed and stream discharge option for a commercial/industrial operation in Plymouth, Devon.
Aardvark assessed the present outflow water quality and provided an effective treatment process, using a modified version of a lightweight mobile reedbedw hich was designed in-house. The reedbed was connected to the existing discharge system and monitored the inflow and outflow waters for 6 months.
Based on the data gathered from the 6-month trial period, consultation with interested parties, such as the Environment Agency, was undertaken and agreements reached that a reedbed treatment and stream discharge system would be a beneficial and acceptable solution.
The clients were provided with a detailed report on the performance of the mobile reedbed, size and design of a permanent reedbed system; agreement with governing bodies with regard to the system and a cost breakdown of the benefits such a system would provide, both environmentally and financially.