Recording Available
When: Feb 5, 2024 10:00 AM Hawaii
Topic: Eco-friendly sewage options; including treatment wetlands; willow system options and source separation technologies. 

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Webinar Speakers

Féidhlim Harty (Environmental consultant, writer and owner of FH Wetland Systems @FH Wetland Systems – Creating Spaces for Nature see https://www.wetlandsystems.ie/EcoFriendly%20Wastewater%20Treatment.html#Willow%20Filters%20and%20Zero%20Discharge%20Willow%20Systems)

Transcript will be available soon.

Féidhlim Harty is an environmental consultant and writer. His company, FH Wetland Systems, established in 1996, offers designs and guidance on waterway repair and rewilding, eco-friendly wastewater treatment training and education, and holistic landuse management for catchment protection and regeneration. 

As we increasingly recognise the role of our species and society in shaping our landscapes, we see the impacts of past decisions on the ecosystems and other species with whom we share this beautiful planet. We know at a deep level that simply sustaining our current cultural norms is no longer desirable. Thus we need to look beyond sustainability (simply not dying) and towards regenerative solutions in every area of our lives and culture. The solutions offered on this website are among the best regenerative tools and techniques for addressing water and waterway management, as well as farm-scale and catchment scale solutions for cultivating a world that works with nature rather than against.

A question was asked during the session – “In terms of reduction of TSS, NH3, NO3, TP, BOD etc. I’d propose that a standard sized domestic scale system, whether constructed wetland, gravel reed bed or vertical flow reed bed, will achieve secondary treatment standard if sized appropriately. In the Irish context I propose that the EPA recommended size of 5m2/pe be increased to about 8m2/pe to achieve this standard, but the general principle applies nonetheless. 

A much more thorough breakdown of figures is presented in Kadlec and Wallace’s Treatment Wetlands.

My own books, Septic Tank Options and Alternatives; and Permaculture Guide to Reed Beds focus more on the practicalities of design, construction and planting within an Irish regulatory framework than on the pollution reduction potential achieved. 

I hope that helps to answer that question raised at the end of the talk.

Kind regards and thanks again,

Féidhlim 

FH Wetland Systems – Creating Spaces for NatureKnocknaskeagh, Lahinch, Co. Clare – 065-7075631https://www.wetlandsystems.ie

I forgot to mention that Septic Tank Options and Alternatives was written as an overview of options available for sanitation which may be of use to the people preparing Codes for their areas. It is written mainly in the Irish context, but applicable anywhere where flush toilets are the norm. My working title was “The unofficial EPA Guide to Wastewater Treatment”; to include a greater overview of dry toilet options and source separation options than our official EPA Code gives. 

I’m also offering training this spring, looking at wastewater treatment (much of which we already covered yesterday) and water flows in the wider landscape (what I was beginning to look at in the closing part of yesterday’s talk) and EcoVisioning, which looks more at our attitudes around the various planetary challenges, and how to hold a clear coherent vision for a positive future. http://www.wetlandsystems.ie/Next%20Workshop.html “