ARM to provide reed bed treatment system for UK's Conway Centre

ANGLESEY, UK, July 9, 2009 -- UK market leader in natural wastewater treatment solutions, ARM, has recently been awarded a £214,000 contract to provide a reed bed treatment system for The Canolfan Conway Centre in Anglesey.

The centre, which is leased from the National Trust by Cheshire West and Chester Council, is the largest centre of its kind in the UK and is situated on the shoreline of the Menai Strait.

Jill Jones, principal consultant and director at environmental consultancy Peak Associates Environmental Consultants, has been working closely with the council for a number of years. She explained:

"In the past, the Conway Centre had only been required to have primary settlement treatment facilities for wastewater. However, after talks with the Environment Agency, it was decided that the centre would need to look into secondary treatment to ensure that the treated wastewater being released into the Menai Strait was of sufficient quality.

"That's when we contacted ARM -- we needed experienced contractors who would be able to deal with a project such as this on a large scale. The bed measures over 400 m.""

"The introduction of a reed bed treatment facility meant that the Conway Centre and the Council could add to their sustainability credentials while ensuring that discharge consents were being met for the Environment Agency.

"Reed beds have the added advantage of being able to blend in with the natural environment and are straightforward to maintain over time."

Bob Allan, project manager at Cheshire West and Chester Council, commented:

"We were advised that reed bed technology offered the most environmentally-sound and effective way of treating wastewater at the secondary stage. The Conway Centre has carried out a number of environmental initiatives over previous years to ensure we meet the need for sustainability.

"These include the installation of a composter and grease trap to regulate solids entering the drains and the separation of foul and surface water drainage to optimize discharge volumes.

"We chose ARM as lead contractors on this project because they are specialists in the field of natural wastewater treatment and they have a good reputation for their work with water companies throughout the country."

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