The Living Machine Nita Ganguly and James Littrell .

The Living MachineThe Living Machine

Nita Ganguly and James LittrellNita Ganguly and James Littrell

http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?ProjectID=18

http://www.toddecological.com/wastewatertreatment.html

Step 1Step 1 Sewage flows into a solar greenhouse Sewage flows into a solar greenhouse

Outdoor site that filled with rows of large open Outdoor site that filled with rows of large open tankstanks tanks are populated by a complex series of tanks are populated by a complex series of

organismsorganisms first tank holds aquatic plants (ex: water hyacinths, first tank holds aquatic plants (ex: water hyacinths,

cattails, and bulrushes)cattails, and bulrushes) These organisms take up the nutrients produced These organisms take up the nutrients produced

when algae & microorganisms decompose organic when algae & microorganisms decompose organic wastes.wastes.

After the waterwater flows through a number of these natural purification tanks…

http://www.enviroeducation.com/interviews/john-todd/

Step 2Step 2

It passes through an artificial marsh of It passes through an artificial marsh of sand, gravel, and bulrush plants whichsand, gravel, and bulrush plants which filters out the algae and any remaining filters out the algae and any remaining

organic waste.organic waste.absorbs toxic metals (ex: lead, mercury)absorbs toxic metals (ex: lead, mercury)secretes natural antibiotic compounds that kill secretes natural antibiotic compounds that kill

pathogens.pathogens.

Step the 3rdStep the 3rd

HH22O flows into engineered ecosystems in O flows into engineered ecosystems in

aquarium tanksaquarium tanksSnails & zooplankton consume Snails & zooplankton consume

microorganisms in water…microorganisms in water………and in turn are eaten by crayfish, tilapia & and in turn are eaten by crayfish, tilapia &

variety of fish that can be eaten or used as variety of fish that can be eaten or used as baitbait

Finally!Finally!

After 10 days HAfter 10 days H22O is clearO is clearFlows through 2Flows through 2ndnd artificial marsh for final artificial marsh for final

filtering & cleansing.filtering & cleansing.

HH22O made drinkable by passing throughO made drinkable by passing through ultraviolet lightultraviolet light ozone generatorozone generator

Usually hidden out of sight in attractive pond or Usually hidden out of sight in attractive pond or wetland habitat.wetland habitat.

General Info.General Info.

Invented by John ToddInvented by John Todd Company called Living Company called Living

Technologies Technologies

16 have been installed 16 have been installed in U.S. & 8 other in U.S. & 8 other countriescountries

TreatTreat Municipal wasteMunicipal waste Industrial wasteIndustrial waste

http://www.enviroeducation.com/interviews/john-todd/

Success!Success!

Largest system built for plant in AustraliaLargest system built for plant in AustraliaHandles 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 GoalMain Goal

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

Comparison To ConventionalComparison To Conventional

Sludge ProductionSludge ProductionEnvironmentally Harmful ChemicalsEnvironmentally Harmful ChemicalsColloidal materials and fine suspended Colloidal materials and fine suspended

solids solids Capital and Energy Intensive Capital and Energy Intensive

Advantages and DisadvantagesAdvantages and Disadvantages Chemical-, odor-, andChemical-, odor-, andnoise-freenoise-free Small ecologicalSmall ecologicalfootprint*footprint* Aesthetically pleasingAesthetically pleasing Relatively low costs*Relatively low costs* Little maintenance*Little maintenance* Micro-finance options for Micro-finance options for

developing communtiesdeveloping communties

•Can attractinsects/rodents•Need to tailor to sitelocation

ObstaclesObstacles

Places for sunlightPlaces for sunlight Area for facilityArea for facility Skilled BiologistsSkilled Biologists

Negative Environmental ImpactsNegative Environmental Impacts

There really are no negative There really are no negative environmental impactenvironmental impact

Natural BalanceNatural BalanceBiomass WasteBiomass Waste

Overall PotentialOverall PotentialThe Overall ScaleThe Overall ScaleEconomic ComparisonsEconomic Comparisons

BibliographyBibliography

Miller, G. Tyler. Miller, G. Tyler. Living in the EnvironmentLiving in the Environment. 13. . 13. Canada: Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2004.Canada: Thomson Brooks/Cole, 2004.

http://www.time.com/time/reports/environment/http://www.time.com/time/reports/environment/heroes/heroesgallery/0,2967,todd,00.htmlheroes/heroesgallery/0,2967,todd,00.html

http://www.enviroeducation.com/interviews/john-todd/http://www.enviroeducation.com/interviews/john-todd/ http://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC35/Guterson.htmhttp://www.context.org/ICLIB/IC35/Guterson.htm http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?http://www.aiatopten.org/hpb/overview.cfm?

ProjectID=18ProjectID=18 http://www.livingdesignsgroup.com/systemshttp://www.livingdesignsgroup.com/systems//