You are on page 1of 12

GERMAN ATV RULES AND STANDARDS

W A S T E W A T E R - W A S T E

STANDARD
ATV A 262E

Principles for the Dimensioning, Construction


and Operation of Plant Beds for Communal
Wastewater with Capacities up to 1000 Total
Number of Inhabitants and Population
Equivalents

July 1998
ISBN 3-934984-37-1

Marketing:
Gesellschaft zur Förderung der
Abwassertechnik e.V. (GFA)
Theodor-Heuß-Allee 17
D-53773 Hennef
Postfach 11 65 . 53758 Hennef
ATV A 262E

This Standard has been prepared by the ATV Specialist Committee 2.10 "Small Sewage
Treatment Plants" together with the ATV Working Group 2.10.1 "Wastewater Treatment
in Plant Beds".

The following members belong to ATV Specialist Committee 2.10:

LBDir Bucksteeg, München


Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Grosche, Radebeul
Dr. Rer. Nat. Dietz Kollatsch, Hildesheim
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Klaus Lützner, Dresden
Dipl.-Ing. Heinz Maus, Arnsberg (Chairman until 27.01.98)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl-Heinz Rosenwinkel, Hannover
Dipl.-Ing. Markus Schröder, Aachen (Chairman since 27.01.98)
LBDir Dipl.-Ing. Viktor Schweizer, Rottwell
LRBD Frank Tiedtke, Minden
LRBD Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Voss, Flintbek
Dr.-Ing. Hans-Peter Zerres, Stuttgart

The following members belong to ATV Working Group 2.10.1:


Dr.-Ing. Tankred Börner, München
LBDir Bucksteeg, München (Chairman)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Werner Hegemann, Berlin
Dr. Rer. Nat. Dietz Kollatsch, Hildesheim
LRBD Dipl.-Ing. Klaus Voss, Flintbek

All rights, in particular those of translation into other languages, are reserved. No part of this Standard may be
reproduced in any form by photocopy, microfilm or any other process or transferred or translated into a language
usable in machines, in particular data processing machines, without the written approval of the publisher.

 Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Abwassertechnik e.V. (GFA), Hennef 1998


Produced by: JF•CARTHAUS GmbH & Co, Bonn

July 1998
2
ATV A 262E

Contents Page

Preparation 2

Notes for users 4

Foreword 4

1. Definition 4

2. Scope 5

3. Dimensioning principles 5

4. Planning and construction of plant beds 6


4.1 Location 6
4.2 Pre-treatment 6
4.3 Sealing 7
4.4 Soil material 7
4.5 Surface 8
4.6 Gradient 9
4.7 Inlet and outlet construction 9
4.8 Planting 10
4.9 Further details for the structural implementation 10

5. Operation 11
5.1 Principles 11
5.2 Operating instructions 11
5.3 Other operational measures 12

6. Notes on costs 12

July 1998
3
ATV A 262E

Notes for Users


This ATV Standard is the result of honorary, technical-scientific/economic collaboration
which has been achieved in accordance with the principles applicable for this (statutes,
rules of procedure of the ATV and ATV Standard ATV-A 400). For this, according to
precedents, there exists an actual presumption that it is textually and technically correct
and also generally recognised.
The application of this Standard is open to everyone. However, an obligation for
application can arise from legal or administrative regulations, a contract or other legal
reason.
This Standard is an important, however, not the sole source of information for correct
solutions. With its application no one avoids responsibility for his own action or for the
correct application in specific cases; this applies in particular for the correct handling of
the margins described in the Standard.

Foreword
The status of knowledge on plant beds available at the start of the 80's was summarised
by the ATV Specialist Committee 2.10 in the ATV Report "Wastewater Treatment in
Systems using Wetland Plants" (published in the Korrespondenz Abwasser, Vol. 3/1982,
p. 161 - 163).

In the following years variously conceived trials plants were constructed according to the
respective ideas of the process developer and investigated in operation. Here and there
first plant beds for wastewater treatment were established by communities and observed
in operation. Subsequently, a large number of smaller plant bed systems have appeared
on private properties for the treatment of wastewater of, in each case, few inhabitants.
The collective experiences of operation and treatment performances led to the
production of the ATV Guide ATV-H 262 "Treatment of Domestic Wastewater in Plant
Beds", dated August 1989 by the ATV Working Group 2.10.1 in the ATV Specialist
Committee 2.10.

ATV Guide ATV-H 262 has to a great degree brought about order. In the meantime,
various plant beds have been developed for biological wastewater treatment. The
majority of the Federal German States have issued circulars or decrees, whereby plant
beds may be established taking into account the details laid down in H 262 and, in part,
under more extensive preconditions.

With this Standard a common basis for the dimensioning, construction and operation of
plant beds is created for the biological treatment of communal wastewater. This Standard
replaces ATV Guide ATV-H 262.

1. Definition
Plant beds consist of a sandy-gravelled soil system, also occasionally with a cohesive
element, planted with wetland plants.

July 1998
4
ATV A 262E

• The soil system is flowed through by desludged wastewater, which has also had
course and floating materials removed, for the purpose of biological treatment.

The functional mechanisms in the soil matrix are characterised by complex physical,
chemical, and biological processes, which result from the combined effects of filling
material, wetland plants, micro-organisms, pore air and wastewater. The treatment
processes are based essentially on the micro-organisms resident in the soil; the plant
roots are to counteract a blockage of the soil pores resulting from an increase in
biomass.

A helophyte treatment plant, in addition to the plant bed itself, also includes all necessary
peripheral facilities for its correct operation.

2. Scope
The scope of this Standard covers plant beds for :

- small scale sewage treatment plants in accordance with DIN 4261, so long and so far
as no regulation exists within the field of standardisation; small sewage treatment
plants are plants in which domestic wastewater with an inflow of up to 8 m3/d
(corresponding to a connection value of some 50 inhabitants) is treated;

- small sewage treatment plants in the separate system with capacities of some 50
inhabitants and population equivalents (PT) up to 1000 PT; for small sewage
treatment plants up to capacities of 1000 PT it applies that the minimum COD and
BOD5 requirements of Size Class I, in accordance with the German Wastewater
Ordinance (AbwVO), are to be met.

Planned permanently flooded beds and plant beds for the polishing of already biologically
treated wastewater as well as such for the treatment of precipitation water do not fall
within the scope of this standard.

3. Dimensioning Principles
As a rule, the following guidance values for mechanically pre-treated wastewater are to
be assumed for the dimensioning of plant beds:

Specific BOD5 load settled 40 g/(I.d)


Domestic wastewater 100 l/(I.d)
Communal wastewater 150 l/(I.d)

"Guidance value" means that, in justified cases with individual verification, one can
deviate downwards or must deviate upwards from the above values.

Inflow of infiltration water is to be minimised; for unavoidable infiltration water inflow an


excess figure is to be taken into account.

Commercial wastewater can only be treated when, with regard to pollution concentration
and degradation behaviour, it corresponds with domestic wastewater.

July 1998
5
ATV A 262E

4. Planning and Construction of Plant Beds


4.1 Location
4.1.1
In particular, for reasons of possible odour nuisance, plant beds, as part of a small scale
sewage treatment plant, are to be kept a reasonable distance from residential areas.
Depending on the type of pre-treatment of the wastewater and the surface feeding of the
plant bed, a separation of 15 to 20 m to the next occupied building is recommended. The
distance to a building, capable of occupation, of a neighbouring property should not be
smaller than that to the buildings of the producer of the wastewater himself. The plant
bed is to be secured against entry by unauthorised persons under local arrangements.

4.1.2
The separation of a small sewage treatment plant with plant beds from residential areas
is to correspond with the distance which has been selected for other small sewage
treatment plants. Pre-treatment facilities of a plant bed are to be secured against entry by
unauthorised persons. Whether plant beds have to be secured or not depends on the
local conditions and the laiddown details of the responsible authority. Plant beds are to
be marked clearly as wastewater systems.

4.1.3
The site of the plant must lie safe from flooding with floods and from surface water.

4.1.4
The location is so to be selected that drinking water springs are not impaired.

4.2 Pre-treatment
4.2.1
Plant beds are to be fed only with desludged wastewater, which is also free of coarse
and floating material. Unsatisfactory pre-treatment (no desludging as well as no removal
of coarse and floating material) leads, with surface feeding over the plant surface, to
build-ups in the area of the inflow and, in some cases, to vermin and odour nuisances,
with underground feeding to blockages of the soakage links. The insertion upstream of a
coarse material comminutor or solids removal from the wastewater flow does not fulfil the
principles of correct wastewater treatment and environmental hygiene if, through these,
an accumulation of raw sludge occurs on the surface of the soil.

4.2.2
The inclusion of an upstream multi-compartment septic tank, in accordance with DIN
4261, Part 1, is available for plant beds of small sewage treatment plants.

4.2.3
All proven retention and settling installations from wastewater treatment technology can
be considered with plant beds for small sewage treatment plants. The same
requirements are to be placed the primary sludge treatment as for normal sewage
treatment plants.

July 1998
6
ATV A 262E
4.3 Sealing
4.3.1
Plant beds must be sealed at the bottom and at the sides and may not penetrate into the
highest known level of the groundwater. As a rule, a some 60 cm thick layer of adjacent
soil with a permeability constant of kf ≤ 10-8 m/s (clay) is considered sufficient.

4.3.2
With coefficients of permeability for the adjacent soil of kf > 10-8 m/s (silt, fine sand) an
artificial sealing is fundamentally necessary, e.g.

- concrete or plastic tank,


- foil sealing with lateral, raised integration, foil thickness ≥ 1.00 mm, root resistant, UV
resistant, preferred foil material based on PE,
- clay sealing with a verified thickness ≥ 30 cm and lateral raised integration;
alternative: 60 cm thick soil improvement using bentonite admixture.

Once completed, a sealing test is to be carried out.

4.4 Soil Material


4.4.1
The soil matrix effective for the biological treatment must consist of sandy/gravel material
or other comparable bulk material. Sharp edged material can lead to damage of the foil
sealing. The coefficient of permeability of the soil matrix has, preferably, to be in the
range kf ≈ 10-4 - 10-3. Graded, defined grain mixtures are to be selected; in the case of
bonding admixtures these may not exceed a portion of 5 %. The following grain
distribution is to be observed:

d60
degree of irregularity U = ≤5
d10

d10, d60 = grain diameters below which 10 % respectively 60 % of the grains, by weight,
lie.

The measure of the coefficient of permeability can be determined as follows (according


to Beyer):

( d10 )2
kf in m/s = (d10 is to be given in mm).
100

The grain distribution is to be verified using soil analysis before incorporation. With
incorporation the material may not be compacted.

4.4.2
The layer thickness of the soil matrix on incorporation is:

- with horizontal throughflow ≥ 50 cm


- with vertical throughflow ≥ 80 cm

July 1998
7
ATV A 262E
The minimum layer thickness with horizontal throughflow is justified by the hydraulically
necessary percolation cross-section, the rooting depth and the requirements of winter
operation.

Distribution or support layers for the effective soil matrix in accordance with Sect. 4.4.1
may not be included in the calculations. A multilayer arrangement of the effective soil
matrix is not required.

4.5 Surface
4.5.1
The bed surface is

- with horizontal throughflow ≥ 5 m2/I


minimum surface of the plant bed(s) 20 m2
- with vertical throughflow ≥2.5 m2/I
Minimum surface of the plant bed(s) 10 m2

Parts of the surface in the vicinity of the plant embankment may not be included in the
calculations.

It is to be verified that the following surface feeding rates, referred to the total bed
surface, independent of the above dimensioning values, for dry weather inflow are not
exceeded:

- with horizontal throughflow 40 mm/d


corresponding to 40 l/(m2·d)
- with vertical throughflow 60 mm/d
corresponding to 60 l/(m2·d)

With hydraulic verification for the determination of the percolation cross-section and the
bed geometry of horizontally throughflowed beds, a kf value reduced by a power of 10
compared with the value before incorporation of the material is to be applied (see Sect.
4.4.1); with bed lengths ≥ 10 m hydraulic verification is indispensable.

4.5.2
Above dimensioning values are aimed at the degradation of organic pollutants (BOD5,
COD)

A further treatment can be achieved through

- intermittent or alternating bed surface feeding for the improvement of the oxygen
transfer in the soil matrix,
- enlargement of the bed surface,
- recirculation.

For deliberate nitrification and denitrification as well as reduction of germs there still exist
no generally valid dimensioning values.

July 1998
8
ATV A 262E
4.6 Gradient
4.6.1
Both horizontally and vertically throughflowed plant beds are to have an as far as
possible horizontal surface in order to give no opportunity for the formation of channels
or puddles and, if necessary, in order to be able to create surface bed overponding with
even depth of water (e.g. to suppress foreign plants).

4.6.2
With horizontally throughflowed beds it has proved practical to design a defined surface
feeding bed area with surface counter gradient or to limit it with small earth walls
transverse to the main flow direction and, through this, limit the percolation area.

4.6.3
A base slope for short horizontally throughflowed beds can be dispensed with with
normally proposed procedural designs.

4.7 Inlet and Outlet Construction


4.71
Inlet facilities of a horizontally throughflowed bed are to be so arranged that the
percolation cross-section is sufficient in order to distribute the wastewater evenly over
the whole bed cross-section. Verification is to be carried out to show that, in normal
operation, there is no overponding in the area of the inlet.

4.7.2
The facilities for the collection of the water from a horizontally throughflowed bed are to
be so designed that there is a planned passage through the whole bed matrix with short
circuit flow. This is to be presented in the design.

4.7.3
Surface feeding facilities of a vertically throughflowed bed are to be so arranged that the
complete bed surface is fed evenly. The selected solution must be secured against
freezing even with long periods of low temperatures.

4.7.4
The construction of the outlet of any plant bed must be so designed that the water level
in the bed can be systematically lowered as well as raised by up to 10 cm above the bed
surface.

4.7.5
Inlet and outlet pipelines or shafts must be so designed that they can be cleaned easily
using mechanical equipment or high pressure flushing devices.

4.7.6
Inlet and outlet of a helophyte plant must be so arranged and designed that examination
of the wastewater is possible in accordance with the German Federal State regulations.

July 1998
9
ATV A 262E
4.8 Planting
4.8.1
The employment of common reed (phragmites) is extensive. Iris, reed mace (typha),
bulrush (juncus) and others can also be employed.

4.8.2
The following information can be given for the planting of reed:

- reed can be planted as clumps, individual rhizomes or as seedlings.


- reed clumps can basically be planted all year round, preferably in spring; two clumps
per m2 are sufficient.
- the planting of rhizomes is most successful if it is carried out in the period from the
end of May to June and the rhizomes have one or two 10 - 60 cm shoots; 4 - 6
rhizomes /m2 are sufficient
- reed seedlings are developed from seed in greenhouses (containerware) and it is
advised that they be planted in the period end of May to June, if they already show
the start of rhizomes. Seedlings are easier to plant than pieces of rhizome and grow
lushly in the first season; 3 - 5 seedlings/m2 are sufficient.

In order to avoid soil compaction the planting is to take place from supporting planks. For
a good growth of the reeds and strong plant development during the first season,
optimum growing conditions are to be provided, independent of the planting method:

- initially the freshly planted beds should be kept well watered, but not permanently
overponded. With increasing development of height by the shoots the bed can be
periodically flooded, if the growth of foreign plants is observed (see Sect. 5.2).
- during the first growth period a good supply of nutrients is important. Feeding with
domestic wastewater more than covers the nutrient requirement.

4.9 Further Details for Structural Implementation


4.9.1
Plant beds are to be provided immediately following construction, in particular for also
ensuring winter operation, with a freeboard (distance from the bed surface to the upper
edge of the integrated sealing) of at least 20 cm with small scale sewage treatment
plants and 30 cm with small sewage treatment plants.

4.9.2
Connecting pipelines between pre-treatment facilities and plant beds or between several
beds are to be laid so that they are free of frost or are protected against the effects of
frost.

4.9.3
All operational points of a helophyte treatment plant must be sufficiently accessible.
Small sewage treatment plants require an access road.

Depending on the capacity of the plant an equipment room or a simple operational


building with appropriate equipment is necessary.

July 1998
10
ATV A 262E
4.9.4
Operational facilities within the area of the bed require some form of access which
ensures that no non-admissible compaction of the soil matrix occurs with repeated entry.

4.9.5
Self-construction of helophyte treatment plants ("do-it-yourself" production) requires
specialist direction with the planning and construction work (sealing measures, bed
design and planting). With deliveries from outside the laying down of warranty conditions
is recommended.

5. Operation
5.1 Principles
5.1.1
Duration and scope of a possible reduced efficiency of a plant bed during the start-up
phase are to be given beforehand. Whether this is permissible in individual cases
requires assessment under water law.

5.1.2
For a helophyte treatment plant a comprehensive generally understood operation and
servicing instruction for all practical operations and, above all, for the growth status of a
plant bed, is to be produced and given to the plant operator.

5.1.3
Plant beds require skilled monitoring, servicing and maintenance. It is recommended that
the operator concludes a contract for functional control, system maintenance and care of
plants.

5.2 Operating Instructions


An operational instruction to be produced by the designer has, inter alia, to include the
following:

- it is to be laid down whether a plant bed is to be fed continuously or discontinuously


or - with several beds operated in parallel - alternatively. Discontinuous or alternating
bed feeding encourages the treatment performance if an extensive emptying of the
soil matrix is ensured in the feeding pauses.
- it is to be stated which effects an unplanned overponding of a bed has and which
measures are to be taken in this case.
- it is to be stated how a colonisation of the bed by foreign plants can be countered. A
possibility exists in the raising of the water level in the sprouting phase (see Sect.
4.8.2), without overponding the desired plants.
- with an employment of plant beds for the treatment of wastewater from seasonal
operations (e.g. camping sites, holiday hotels, recreational facilities) it is to be
indicated how the beds are to be operated outside the season in order to maintain
their efficiency.

July 1998
11
ATV A 262E
- it is to be indicated whether, and if necessary, which precautionary measures are to
be taken for winter operation of a plant bed and how the operation can be maintained
even with long-term continuous heavy frost.
- it is to be indicated which plant care measures at what times are necessary, in
particular whether and if the plants are to be cut, when cut material is to be removed
from the bed and how this is to be disposed of. The retention of the plants that die off
in the autumn or are cut on the bed surface during the frost periods to retain heat is
sensible.
- it is to be indicated how and how often retained coarse material and sludge are to be
removed from, treated and disposed of from an from installation upstream of the
plant bed. Application to the plant serving for wastewater treatment is not
permissible.

5.3 Other Operational Measures


5.3.1

Blocked soil packets of a plant bed are to be reprocessed or replaced and, with possible
pollution, disposed of appropriately.

5.3.2

Fundamentally, a plant based self-monitoring is to be carried out by the operator of a


sewage treatment plant with plant bed to an extent which is usual for a normal sewage
treatment plant of the same capacity. The instructions for self-monitoring of the German
Federal States regulate the details.

6. Notes on Costs
Attention is to be paid with cost details and cost comparisons that all necessary
installations and equipment of a helophyte treatment plant are taken into account with
details of the useful life. With this, inter alia, the pre-treatment facilities for the retention of
coarse material and for sludge separation, in addition the sludge treatment facilities and
all necessary ancillary installations are to be registered. Faulty mechanical pre-treatment
shortens the serviceable life of a plant bed and reduces the economic efficiency of a
helophyte treatment plant.

July 1998
12

You might also like