Sustainable Design: Rieth Village

• Purpose of Rieth Village
• Platinum LEED Award
• Our Design Process
• Construction
• Site
• Building Envelope
• Water Systems
• Wastewater
• Heating and Cooling
• Energy Harnessing
• Building Performance
• Helpful Resources

Wastewater Treatment   |  Constructed Wetland   |   Recirculating Sand Filter

Recirculating Sand Filter

After the constructed wetland, the wastewater then passes through a recirculating sand filter. The water percolates through the sand filter and is pumped back to the surface and distributed across the surface again. On average the water will pass through this filter 6 times before exiting.
The walls of the sand filter are constructed with treated wood.
The filter is lined with a rubber liner and collection chambers are placed in the bottom of the filter. Water that is collected in the chamber on the far right with exit the system.  All other water will will be collected and redistributed at the top of the filter.
Two feet of sand is placed on top of the collection chambers.
The recirculating lateral pipes are installed on top of the sand. They will be covered with four inches of pea gravel. Water is distributed in microdoses in order to allow oxygen to be present in the system. Bacteria will grow and form a biofilm on the surface of the sand particles and feed on and break down the organic molecules passing through the system.