Effect of Rain and Temperature on the Performance of Constructed Reed Beds

Abstract

In this paper, the importance of rain and temperature on the performance of reed beds is examined. Data for 5‐day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total suspended solids (TSS), and ammonia‐nitrogen (NH3–N) removal from 16 different reed beds in England were correlated with local weather data for rainfall and temperature. Linear regression and curvilinear regression methods were used to assess if any correlation existed. Data analysis occurred in three stages. First, the equation used for the design of the beds was transformed to a linear equation to compare BOD5 removal values and monthly average ambient temperature. The transformed equation was tested with data from all of the reed beds, but the correlation was poor. Second, monthly average rainfall and temperature values were compared with percent removal of BOD5, TSS, and NH3–N using curvilinear regression. This approach failed to produce any significant correlation. Finally, curvilinear regression was used to examine performance data with daily rainfall for two of the reed beds. This approach also failed to show any correlation between temperature or rain fall and the performance of the beds.