Habitat
Vegetated Sand Beds and Reed Beds are effective, sustainable, and low-cost treatment systems that produces high quality effluent at 1/10th the cost of conventional technology. In addition to a near-zero energy input, VSBs and RBs have the added benefit of providing natural wetland habitats in place of traditional concrete and steel facilities. With the continuing expansion of suburbs, cities, and buisnesses, the choice to establish a wetland habitat where a wastewater treatment facility must be constructed, is a valuble opportunity.
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All the systems built by NEWS have supported local wildlife including turtles, snakes, rabbits, groundhogs, foxes, birds, mice, deer, and frogs to name a few. Often the Vegetated Sand Beds seem to be the nursery of choice for wildlife in the area. In Ecuador, NEWS VSB systems have been used as designated parks and areas where small domestic animals can graze.
