Patent ID: 6406627
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: C02F,Y02W,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of removing pollutants from water, comprising:providing a system for removing pollutants from water, the system including an impermeable primary treatment cell, the primary treatment cell substantially disposable in the earth and comprising an inlet, an outlet, bed media particulates providing habitat for bacteria and disposed between the inlet and the exit, wetland vegetation rooted in the bed media, and means for air injection disposed proximate a bottom portion of the primary treatment cell; activating the air injection means; and establishing a substantially horizontal flow of untreated polluted water in the primary treatment cell by flowing the polluted water into the primary treatment cell through the inlet, through spaces between the bed media particulates, and out of the primary treatment cell through the outlet, thereby establishing an aerobic zone and an anaerobic zone, the aerobic zone disposed in the primary treatment cell proximate the air injection means, the anaerobic zone disposed in portions of the primary treatment cell not aerated by the air injection means, the pollutants removed from the flowing water by a cooperation between the wetland vegetation, aerobic bacteria in the aerobic zone, and anaerobic bacteria in the anaerobic zone.