Sludge and Site Study

From the Sludge and site study you will learn if the sludge produced at the Sewage Treatment Works you have chosen is suitable for Sludge Treatment in Reed Beds. You will also find out if the site is appropriate with regards to topography, geotechnical and environmental aspects and you will gain an overview of where the Sludge Treatment Reed Beds will be placed and an indication of the cost involved in their procurement.

The sludge study will include the collection of existing data and a programme of sludge sampling to be taken and analysed for a set of parameters.

Sometimes simple changes can be made to the Sewage Treatment Works, which will enhance the sludge suitability for Sludge Treatment Reed Beds. A thorough site inspection, going through the flow and processes of the works will determine if any such possibilities could be identified and utilised.

If the sludge produced from the site is very different from what has previously been processed through reed beds systems, we may recommend further testing of the sludge in a trial reed bed system.

The sludge data gathered will be used to characterise the sludge and from that the sizing of the system for this particular sludge can be made.

The sludge and site study will also clarify the particular circumstances of the site. This will include information about geotechnical conditions, levels and interface with the existing works, the consent and environmental issues.

A Sketch Design placing the reed beds and infrastructure on the site will be produced and a high level pricing exercise will be is carried out to give projections of the cost.

The sludge and site study can be taken further and include a feasibility study including other sludge drying methods, to compare Net Present Values of different options.