INITIAL CONTAMINANT REMOVAL PERFORMANCE FACTORS IN HORIZONTAL FLOW REED BEDS USED FOR TREATING URBAN WASTEWATER

Evaluation of the effect of hydraulic loading rate (HLR), aspect ratio, granular medium size and water depth on the removal of COD, BOD5, ammonia and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) during the start up of horizontal flow reed beds (HFRBs) for the treatment of urban wastewater. HLR and water depth are both very important factors in the performance of HFRBs, while aspect ratio and granular medium size have no clear effect.