Can waste stabilisation ponds challenge advanced biological wastewater treatment process

Waste stabilisation ponds are the most common wastewater treatment system in New Zealand. Pond systems for treating wastewater have existed for centuries Wastewater treatment is coming under increasing scrutiny and pressure to improve water quality of the receiving water. Coupled with the need for better disinfection and nutrient attenuation is the requirement for technologies to be sustainable. Instead of investing in higher technology treatment, pond systems upgraded with floating treatment media (FTM commonly referred to as Floating Treatment Wetlands) technology can save hundreds of thousands of dollars in capital and operational costs, minimising the burden on ratepayers, yet still achieve high quality effluent normally associated with the advanced treatment processes.