The Living Machine

The Living Machine is made up of several components to mimic the process of natural coastal wetlands. The patented tidal-flow technology pumps wastewater into ‘tidal-flow’ wetland cells (gravel filled planters) which are flooded and drained to oxygenate the wastewater. The process is as follows:

1. Primary tank: Untreated wastewater enters to allow solids to settle and degrade before being pumped to the next stage.
2. Stage 1 Tidal Flow Wetland Cells: these aggregate media-filled planters are alternately drained and filled up to 18 times per day. Biofilms, made from microscopic plants and animals, consume the waste in the wastewater.
3. Stage 2 Tidal Flow Wetland Cells: a portion of water moves to Stage 2 and undergoes the same process, where smaller treatment media provides faster treatment.
4. Polishing System: water undergoes final polishing and treatment such as dual-stage filtration, UV disinfection and/or chlorine disinfection.
5. Reuse Tank: treated water enters the reuse tank before moving on to different reuse applications.

Provided by the manufacturer.

Unknown

The US EPA has tested the use of constructed wetland technology performance for BOD (<30 mg/L) and TSS (<30 mg/L) removal.

Wastewater must be handled, treated and disposed of in accordance with hygiene and environmental standards before reuse.