Scheme Summary
This is a rural scheme of 6 houses in Michaelchurch Escley, Herefordshire. Due to the remoteness of the location there is no mains drainage in the area and Worcestershire Housing Association have utilised a non-mechanical reed bed sewerage system.

Scheme Details
The scheme is located at Michaelchurch Escley, Herefordshire, a remote rural location in the shadow of the Black Mountains on the Welsh/English borders. The scheme comprises of six houses, three 3 bedroom 5 person houses, and three 2 bedroom 4 person houses all let on assured tenancies for rent. The site has an exceptional planning consent regulated by a Section 106 Agreement following a local housing need survey.

In the past where there has been no mains drainage in the area, Worcestershire Housing Association has utilised mechanical processes, which in some cases have proved unrelible. Consequently the alternative of utilising a non-mechanical reed bed system was considered. The natural fall of the site and the availability of land provided favourable conditions for such a system. The system comprises a series of horizontal and vertical flow reed beds made up of graded sand on gravel beds planted with the common reed Phragmites australis. Large populations of bacteria and other micro-organisms build up in the gravel and become associated, especially the extensive rhizome root system of these plants. The roots supply oxygen to the bacteria allowing them to aerobically break down the organic matter in the waste water effluents that percolate through the gravel and over the roots.

Effluent levels are monitored by the environment agency and fall well within the discharge consent levels set by them. Maintenance of the system is minimal and relates to keeping the beds free of weeds and debris and occasional pruning of reeds. No sewerage or environmental charges are payable by tenants to the water company.

Cost Implications
The cost of providing the reed bed sewage treatment system as opposed to a mechanical Bio-Disc system is in fact estimated to be £6,000 less, and comparable to providing connections to mains drainage. There are no direct pay backs accruing to the Association from the installation, however tenants do not have to pay sewerage and environmental charges to the water company, representing a considerable saving to families on low incomes.

Worcestershire Housing Association's opinion
The performance of the reed bed to date has exceeded expectations and the quality of discharge from the system is well within the parameters set by the Environment Agency. Our confidence in the system is high and we are currently likely to use such systems elsewhere, including a water conservation and recycling housing project. The major problem with reed beds is a psychological one: people find it hard to accept that such an apparently simple common natural process is up to the job. It is, and is both sustainable in theory and practice.

Contact: D Owen,
Development Director,
Worcestershire
HA Limited.,
The Hop Warehouse,
35 Southfield Street,
Worcester WR1 1NJ.
Tel: 01905 613526
Fax: 01905 21184