7 Steps into the future: 2

© www.clearedgeprojects.com

Water wise

In South Africa, wastewater company Clearedge has developed a bioreactor that uses bacteria to clean grey water – water used for washing that would otherwise go down the drain. Bacteria feed on the dirt and other substances in the water, which is a more effective, lower-energy method of cleaning water than pumping it through filters. The system is made up of locally collected PET bottles packed into tanks, creating a large surface area on which the bacteria can grow. Most car washes in South Africa now use these bioreactors to recycle the same water continuously, saving enough drinking water to supply one household for every four cars washed. The system would work for showers, floor washing and more, and the materials can be sourced locally anywhere – potentially reducing rubbish and saving drinking water all over the world.

This post is also available in: French, Russian, Spanish