Autarky water module proves itself as a handwashing station
The Autarky water module, which treats and recycles grey water in situ, was developed by Eawag researchers with funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s Reinvent the Toilet Challenge. Their aim with the Blue Diversion Autarky Toilet was to create a completely standalone (“autarchical”) toilet that would function without the need for a water mains or sewage connection. In designing their system, they wanted to ensure that the three modules for treating the water, urine and faeces would also function and have the ability to be deployed independently of each other. As well as putting the toilet through field testing, the researchers therefore also tested out the water recycling module as a mobile handwashing station.
Recycling rather than downcycling
Most other systems that treat wastewater on site do "downcycling" and use the treated water for applications with lower water quality requirements than the initial use. However, the water wall has been successfully designed by Eawag to circulate even large volumes of water safely and with the appropriate quality for the same purpose, thus achieving genuine recycling.
The process by which the water is recycled takes several steps: First of all, organic contaminants are broken down in an aerated bioreactor. Then the grey water flows through an ultra-filtration membrane that blocks the passage of pathogens before an activated charcoal filter binds to the remaining organic substances and removes them from the water. An electrolysis cell produces chlorine from the dissolved salts, thus disinfecting the water long term.
Practice tests prove successful
In South Africa, the water module has now proven itself as a standalone unit that can recycle even large volumes of water for handwashing. The water wall was able to treat and recycle around 2,000 litres of water in a roadside location in Durban. The recycled water was clarified and had no cloudiness or colouration, and a slight smell of chlorine lets the users know that the water is hygienic and safe. The handwashing station and its large mirror was well used by the passers-by. The users also referred to the water wall as the “ATM” because of the similarity of its design to modern cash machines.
In 2018, the water wall was also deployed for two months in the City of Zurich: In a public green space where the Hardturm Stadium previously stood, up to two hundred people a day were washing their hands during the trial period. The module stood up to the usage, providing sufficient amounts of recycled and safe water around the clock.
“The water wall passed the tests in Zurich and Durban with flying colours, and so the technology is now ready to be further developed and commercialised by industry partners”, says Eva Reynaert, who was in charge of the field tests. The Blue Diversion Autarky research project will soon be completed, but the development will continue: “We already have several interested parties who would like to further develop the technology with us. We will be contributing our expertise on how the system functions, and with their fresh pairs of eyes, industry partners often bring ideas to the table that can open up new directions. Both sides thereby benefit”, continues Reynaert. And the solutions for some important questions still need to be found: In her dissertation, Reynaert will be focussing on monitoring the water quality in real time, as this is still a significant challenge for all modern water treatment technologies.
