Mark Heistein, CEO of Cape Winelands Biosphere Reserve (CWBR), in collaboration with Elina Ranta, an intern doing her practical from Avans University, have tested the Aquatron centrifugal toilet system in South African conditions.
A model home was built at the Biosphere Hub, features a kitchen, bathroom, and toilet, as well as a small green house, offering a sustainable and viable solution to food production in limited space. Reed beds and a vertical garden were installed to further clean the wastewater, creating a fully closed cycle system. The UV light and constant flow of recycled water is powered by solar panels.
To prove the system functionality, water quality analysis were made at Stellenbosch University WA lab, where Heterotrophic P/C per 1ml at 35°C, Total coliforms per 100ml, Fecal coliforms per 100ml, and E.coli per 100ml, as the general water quality indicators, were examined.
Due to the success of the research, Symbiotic Eco Solutions, distributes the Aquatron units in South Africa, and offers in-depth knowledge on the installation and how to maximize the effectiveness of the centrifugal system, and the byproducts.
Effective not only in domestic homes, but can be installed in hotels, housing estates, bush lodges, camping sites and schools, as the waste material is minimal and there is no smell.
The system is small enough to be an effective addition to mobile event toilets, reducing the cost of transporting and disposing of contaminated water.
The system is a proposed alternative sanitation system to reduce pollution in rivers systems, reducing overall water quality risks, and aid in recycled water initiatives in drought-stricken areas.
To read further about the research project. Click Here