Award For Peak Poo Plant
By Helen Potter
We here at the Null enjoy celebrating that which is a little unusual. So understandably we were overjoyed to hear that the Europe's highest sewage treatment works has won an award.
The sewage plant at Hohtaelli cable car station in the Swiss Alps sits an impressive 10, 781 feet above sea level. A lack of natural springs or a pressurised pipeline means that all water has to be brought up by cable car.
Flush toilets at the station would need an unfeasible 2000 litres a day to keep visitors comfortable and the previous 'dry' toilets were not a success.
The solution? A bioreactor that allows all toilet waste water to be processed and reused. The slightly off-putting yellow water is then treated with activated carbon to remove the (harmless) colour and around it goes again.
It's hoped that the technology will be useful not only in other mountainous areas, but also in arid regions around the world.
The designers terraLink and Eawag will receive the first Mulheim Water Award for practical implementation of innovative water supply and sewage disposal solutions on February 6th.
Sky-high sewage plant - we salute you.
The sewage plant at Hohtaelli cable car station in the Swiss Alps sits an impressive 10, 781 feet above sea level. A lack of natural springs or a pressurised pipeline means that all water has to be brought up by cable car.
Flush toilets at the station would need an unfeasible 2000 litres a day to keep visitors comfortable and the previous 'dry' toilets were not a success.
The solution? A bioreactor that allows all toilet waste water to be processed and reused. The slightly off-putting yellow water is then treated with activated carbon to remove the (harmless) colour and around it goes again. It's hoped that the technology will be useful not only in other mountainous areas, but also in arid regions around the world.
The designers terraLink and Eawag will receive the first Mulheim Water Award for practical implementation of innovative water supply and sewage disposal solutions on February 6th.
Sky-high sewage plant - we salute you.
More of Helen's articles can be found here.
- Weird inventions - Are you ready for the Shadowlamp invasion?
- Unsung heroes - Who invented the button?
- How it works - Wi-tricity: cordless power
- Gadgets - Weird stuff from the Null shop
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