Tidal Flow Wetland Living Machine^® System

Our patented Tidal Flow Wetland Living Machine system is an improved wetland treatment system developed by Worrell Water Technologies. This newest generation Living Machine has a smaller footprint, superior process control and nitrogen removal compared to conventional constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment.

The Tidal Flow Wetland Living Machine system incorporates a series of tidal flow cells, which are alternately flooded and drained many times a day to achieve up to tertiary treatment. These systems are designed to be both cost and energy efficient and incorporate the latest in Living Machine technology.

System Description
(Click for larger picture)

The Tidal Flow Wetland Living Machine System consists of four to six Tidal Wetland cells connected in series by integral pump stations and a control system. Each Tidal Wetland cell is comprised of a watertight basin with a bottom drain system covered by engineered media fill with vegetation on top. Pumps in each basin flood and drain each wetland cell several times a day. The flood and drain process provides all the oxygen necessary for aerobic treatment without mechanical aeration.

There are no exposed water surfaces in any of the wetlands thus preventing mosquito breeding and potential human contact with wastewater. The wetland vegetation, especially the root zone, enhances treatment by promoting a complex and stable ecosystem. The system can be operated with simple controls or a computer‑based system depending on the site requirements and interactive features desired. Either control system would have alarms for critical conditions. The computer–based controller can be equipped for remote monitoring and operation.

Effluent Quality and Benefits

This system achieves good nitrogen removal and advanced BOD and TSS removal. The multi‑cell design incorporating recirculation loops provides greater ecological diversity and process stability than many other treatment systems.

The Tidal Wetland system is beautiful, effective and requires modest operational attention. This ecologically engineered system uses minimal energy and machinery to achieve high quality effluent. The Tidal Wetland is easily configured to specific aesthetic criteria through layout, construction materials and plant selection.

Other benefits include:

1. The energy costs for tertiary treatment are approximately 25% of an equivalent activated sludge system.
2. There is no clarifier and thus no residual sludge (waste bacterial material) to manage or dispose of.
3. Operation is automated, minimizing operator time.
4. The design utilizes plants that can be customized to provide an attractive addition to any landscape.
5. The process is virtually odor free.