The Living Machine Nita Ganguly and James Littrell

Step 1  Sewage flows into a solar greenhouse  Outdoor site that filled with rows of large open tanks  tanks are populated by a complex series of organisms  first tank holds aquatic plants (ex: water hyacinths, cattails, and bulrushes)  These organisms take up the nutrients produced when algae & microorganisms decompose organic wastes. water After the water flows through a number of these natural purification tanks…

/

Step 2 It passes through an artificial marsh of sand, gravel, and bulrush plants which It passes through an artificial marsh of sand, gravel, and bulrush plants which filters out the algae and any remaining organic waste. filters out the algae and any remaining organic waste. absorbs toxic metals (ex: lead, mercury) absorbs toxic metals (ex: lead, mercury) secretes natural antibiotic compounds that kill pathogens. secretes natural antibiotic compounds that kill pathogens.

Step the 3rd H 2 O flows into engineered ecosystems in aquarium tanks H 2 O flows into engineered ecosystems in aquarium tanks Snails & zooplankton consume microorganisms in water… Snails & zooplankton consume microorganisms in water… …and in turn are eaten by crayfish, tilapia & variety of fish that can be eaten or used as bait …and in turn are eaten by crayfish, tilapia & variety of fish that can be eaten or used as bait

Finally! After 10 days H 2 O is clear After 10 days H 2 O is clear Flows through 2 nd artificial marsh for final filtering & cleansing. Flows through 2 nd artificial marsh for final filtering & cleansing.  H 2 O made drinkable by passing through  ultraviolet light  ozone generator  Usually hidden out of sight in attractive pond or wetland habitat.

General Info. Invented by John Todd Invented by John Todd Company called Living Technologies Company called Living Technologies 16 have been installed in U.S. & 8 other countries 16 have been installed in U.S. & 8 other countries Treat Treat Municipal waste Municipal waste Industrial waste Industrial waste

Success! Largest system built for plant in Australia Largest system built for plant in Australia Handles 100,000 gallons of waste per day Handles 100,000 gallons of waste per day Vermont: Muncipal Sewage Treatment Plant a greenhouse where sewage from 1,600 residences is treated to a level of cleanliness surpassing federal EPA requirements.

Main Goal Use a “Natural Systems” approach to treat wastewater to advanced treatment standards Use a “Natural Systems” approach to treat wastewater to advanced treatment standards

Comparison To Conventional Sludge Production Sludge Production Environmentally Harmful Chemicals Environmentally Harmful Chemicals Colloidal materials and fine suspended solids Colloidal materials and fine suspended solids Capital and Energy Intensive Capital and Energy Intensive

Advantages and Disadvantages Chemical-, odor-, and Chemical-, odor-, andnoise-free Small ecological Small ecologicalfootprint* Aesthetically pleasing Aesthetically pleasing Relatively low costs* Relatively low costs* Little maintenance* Little maintenance* Micro-finance options for developing communties Micro-finance options for developing communties Can attract insects/rodents Need to tailor to site location

Obstacles Obstacles Places for sunlight Places for sunlight Area for facility Area for facility Skilled Biologists Skilled Biologists

Negative Environmental Impacts There really are no negative environmental impact There really are no negative environmental impact Natural Balance Natural Balance Biomass Waste Biomass Waste

Overall Potential The Overall Scale The Overall Scale Economic Comparisons Economic Comparisons

Bibliography  Miller, G. Tyler. Living in the Environment. 13. Canada: Thomson Brooks/Cole,  eroes/heroesgallery/0,2967,todd,00.html eroes/heroesgallery/0,2967,todd,00.html eroes/heroesgallery/0,2967,todd,00.html  todd/ todd/ todd/   ectID=18 ectID=18 ectID=18  /