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A world first: combined sewer overflow with FBA
Combined sewers manage domestic wastewater and stormwater runoff; overflows from these sewers have become such a prevalent issue in the UK that the government has made it illegal to not monitor them, and issues huge fines for repeat offenders. ARM has developed Forced Bed Aeration™ in conjunction with Naturally Wallace in the USA, an aerated bed that offers more efficient and consistent treatment.
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The Environment Agency requires strict standards for treating wastewater, including managing overflows from combined sewers (CSOs). CSOs carry both household sewage and stormwater in the same system, releasing excess water during heavy rains to prevent flooding. However, this can lead to untreated wastewater spilling into local rivers and streams, harming water quality.
To address this, Scottish Water has invested £8.7 million in a wetland project. This includes two main features: a system to settle out solids and a large, aerated wetland. Covering 4,000 square meters and two meters deep, this wetland uses Forced Bed Aeration (FBA) technology to treat about 230,000 cubic meters of water each year, making it one of the UK's largest treatment facilities.
Forced Bed Aeration™ (FBA™) is a cutting-edge technology that enhances wetland wastewater treatment. Developed by Naturally Wallace in the USA, FBA™ can be used in both horizontal and vertical flow wetlands. By pumping air through the wetland, FBA™ increases oxygen levels, which boosts the system's ability to remove contaminants by up to 15 times; the system can be augmented with storage and filtering facilities. The system also allows for consistent water flow and treatment, even during periods of no water flow, making it more efficient and effective when needed.
