When designing a constructed wetland, there are many factors you need to consider. You need to put it in the right place, make sure all systems can work correctly, and also use the right materials. There is one thing that many people overlook when they are designing constructed wetlands, and that is the importance of reeds. Adding reeds to the constructed wetland can help add oxygen to the sludge that is being transported through the system and thus speed up the process significantly. If you are thinking of adding a reed bed to your constructed wetland, there are a few things you should consider.
Aesthetic appeal
Constructed wetlands can be sewage treatment systems in residential as well as agricultural environments. The particular appeal for reed beds in a residential area is how it looks. As constructed wetlands are systems that can be added to purify the water that has been treated in a septic tank, it's possible to keep on your property. The aesthetic appeal that reeds add to that particular kind of sewage purification system is therefore something that should be taken into account when the system is something you might have to look at every day and that also adds to the general looks of your garden.
Low maintenance
Maintenance is very low for reed beds, and it's not something that will require you to do a lot more work on your wetland than what's already necessary. When you first plant the reeds, it's possible that you will have to keep an extra eye on other plants that grow in the beds and take them out when necessary, as these might suffocate the reeds you want to grow in the reed bed. Other plants than the reed should be removed regularly from the wetland, as these plants don't contribute to the purification process and can create unpleasant smells along with the vicinity of unwanted bugs.
Attracting animals
One issue with reed beds is the wildlife that it might attract. As the plants attract many small animals and insects, and the water can attract larger animals even though it doesn't smell like ordinary water, you might have to take precautions to prevent this. The sewage water going through the purification process can damage the animals, and the animals can contaminate the water, and without reed beds, the water would be less attractive to the animals as the plants show that the water is nutritious. You might have to put up a fence, or some type of warning system, to prevent animals from being attracted to your reed beds.
