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Cutting the crap: Joe Schnaier on the Living Machine water filtration system

One of the most efficient means of filtration exists in natural wetlands. Joe Schnaierexplores a water filtration system that applies the same principles on a smaller scale.

Sewage is a messy business.

For many years, most of our water has been cleaned by traditional sewage treatment plants, which have a number of drawbacks. These include the difficulty of filtering out tiny particles, dealing with the resulting toxic sludge, and discarding of heavy metals. In addition, these systems are very energy-intensive.

An alternative is available, however. Utilizing a system similar to wetlands in nature, the Living Machine presents a sustainable, energy-efficient means of treating sewage. The “machine” is designed to simulate the natural conditions of a wetlands area. Rather than machines, a variety of plants, animals, and microbes filters out the water in several stages.

I, Joe Schnaier, isn’t the one who would overlook an effective eco-friendly system, especially not when it saves on energy and resources as well. A well-designed Living Machine system can not only save on power and resources but also cut back on management costs.

While it’s not available for effective large-scale use yet, the Living Machine offers a great alternative to sewerage for industries. More information is available on the Living Machine Systems, L3C official website.

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