What is the life-time expectancy of a reed-bed?

Horizontal Flow Reed-beds will always eventually block up and fail.  The life time expectancy of these beds is between 5 and 15 years depending on the strength and quality of the effluent being applied to them.  Those receiving strong effluents with a high level of suspended solids will block up more rapidly.  The media in blocked beds of this type has to be fully replaced.

Vertical Flow Reed-beds, if correctly sized, will last indefinitely.  Blockages, when they occur, are generally confined to the top 25 mm of the surface sand layer which can be easily removed and replaced. 

We give all of our vertical flow reed-bed systems a 25 year life time value and a 3-year warranty.

All reed-bed systems will last longer if properly and regularly maintained.