Machala, Ecuador
Machala, Ecuador
Machala, Ecuador
Shushufindi, Ecuador
Shushufindi, Ecuador
Gardiner, NY
Shushufindi, Ecuador
PROJECTS
VSB for Landfill Leachate
VSB for Gold Mine Wastewater
VSB for Fecal Waste
Landfill leachate poses a serious threat to quality of surface and groundwater. The age of the landfill and what it contains determines the contents of the leachate. Many closed and active landfills were not designed considering the management or treatment of leachate. Vegetated Sand Beds are an effective form of low-cost and sustainable treatment capable of removing high BOD5 and metals, among other contaminants.
NEWS has built many VSB systems for the treatment of gold mine wastewater (GMW). The GMW has included dissolved solids, suspended solids, heavy metals, arsenic, nitrate, mercury, and cyanide. Prior to NEWS VSB systems in Ecuador, the GMW was discharged with no treatment into rivers. This resulted in a damaged ecosystem as well as growing health risks to the many who used the river for drinking water, irrigation, and hygiene. After the implementation of VSB technology, the rivers and the population they support are no longer receiving the many contaminants from the local mining operations.
NEWS has built numerous Vegetated Sand Beds from New England to the tropics of Ecuador, providing
sustainable and low-cost treatment of human and animal waste. Each VSB is individually designed based on the influent wastewater concentration and treatment desired, however all systems benefit from sub-surface vertical flow. VSB systems in hot climates do not have mosquito problems due to the sub-surface design and no open water. VSB systems constructed in New England or any location with sub-zero winter conditions do not freeze and treat the wastewater year-round.
Reed Beds for Sludge
VSB for Golf Courses
Joseph Troll Turf Research Center
Joseph Troll Turf Research Center
Joseph Troll Turf Research Center
Joseph Troll Turf Research Center
In 2011, the University of Massachusetts
Amherst and NEWS designed a VSB system to receive and treat wash-water from sprayers and other machinery. VSB technology designed with a washpad will facilitate the treatment and reuse of wash-water at golf courses or farming operations. As fresh water availability decreases from drought and higher demand, responsibility must be taken for every aspect of the water use, and recycling must be implemented wherever possible.
Sludge is the solid waste separated from wastewater during treatment, and is also produced at most commercial industries and farms. NEWS has implemented Reed Bed technology to sustainably and ecconomically treat sludge from municipal wastewater teatment facilities to chocolate factories. The RB technology permits low-maintenance, low-energy, and high-quality sludge treatment that can often be offered on-site.
From the Galapagos Islands to rural farming operations in China, Dr. Ronald L. Lavigne CEO of NEWS has built hundreds of VSB and RB systems across the world treating many different types of wastewater and sludge. NEWS continues to provide low-cost, sustainable wastewater treatment systems to those looking to implement green technology. We are commited to employing local contractors, suppliers, and labor whenever possible. The projects on this page represent a small portion of the work done by NEWS.
