Dr. Seán Ó hÓgáin:

In respect of the first question about small populations, one of the things that drew me to reed beds when I started off 20 odd years ago was that they are for smaller populations and are off sewer. That is why we have the willows at the end. There is no need to connect to the sewer with a reed bed and a willow bed at the back because there is no discharge because one is evapotranspiring one's waste. It is ideally suited to these smaller populations.

I would imagine that Uisce Éireann would see a position within its strategy for reed beds and willow beds. The EPA is carrying out research on it. It is an accepted technology and is ideally suited to small rural areas.