Shelburne Falls Wastewater Treatment Facility Reed Beds

The reed beds are a constructed wetland planted with phragmites reeds. The digested sludge is pumped to the surface of the beds as a liquid between 1% and 2% solids. Reed bed #1 was constructed in 1993. Two beds have since been added, for a total of 12,000 square feet.

Reed bed #1 Full view during harvest 5,500 square feet
Reed bed #1 Close-up Reeds coming up through the "cake"
Sludge Sludge with worms in it