Naturally Engineered Wetland Systems
Reed Bed treatment systems essentially comprise self-contained artificially engineered wetland ecosystems. They utilize particular combinations of plants, soils, bacteria, substrates, and hydraulic flow systems to optimise the physical, chemical, and microbiological processes naturally present in the root zone.

Treatment is possible due to the special characteristics of wetland plants, such as reeds, which transfer substantial amounts of atmospheric oxygen through their root systems.

The Natural Breakdown of Contaminants
The breakdown of contaminants is achieved by the controlled seepage of the water borne pollutants through the root zone of the wetland plants. Organic pollutants are broken down as a food source by micro-organisms and the plants, while other contaminants, such as metals are fixed in the humic acid (and via cation exchange bonds) in the soil or mineral substrates in which the plants are rooted.
All this means that effective, efficient treatment is produced within the Reed bed in a sustainable and natural manner. There is no ongoing electricity cost to run pumps and air blowers;  the power source is the sun which powers the plants through the natural process of photosynthesis.   

The system will not clog up over time as the design ensures that the rate of breakdown exceeds the rate of loading in the Reed Bed, as such the performance of a Reed Bed usually increases, not decreases, over time.   

A solution for your home's wastewater will often contain 3 main components:

1. Capture & Separation:  The primary capture method, be it a septic tank or composting toilet or alternative will separate the solids from the liquid. The solids will breakdown in a septic tank and the tank is desludged according to the loading rate and the size of the tank. Solids in a composting toilet are periodically removed once they have been composted to reusable humus. 

2. Wastewater Treatment:  The liquid waste flows under gravity to the amended soil Reed Bed Treatment System which treats the wastewater to the required standard. 

3. End-Use: The treated wastewater can now be disposed of to a suitably sized sub-surface leach-drain (land application) If a disinfection unit has been installed the treated wastewater can be reused for irrigation subject to local council regulations and an adequate irrigation area.     

OceansESU will discuss your options with you and depending on your preferences will manage the complete process from start to finish.