Living Machine^® Systems

Treating Wastewater Nature’s Way

Living Machine^® Systems Selected Projects

Port of Portland, Portland, OR – In design

The Living Machine system will be a design feature in the lobby of the Port of Portland Administrative office building and the center of the sustainable water strategy for the facility. The system includes a tiered series of wetland cells supporting the growth of indoor landscaping and ornamental flowers. In addition to these features, the Living Machine system is designed to treat all of the facility sanitary wastewater, up to 5,000 gallons per day (gpd), to a quality suitable for reuse, including “greywater” for toilet flushing and rainwater collection makeup water for landscape irrigation.  — Port of Portland Living Machine Case Study

Esalen Institute, Big Sur, CA – 2007

The Esalen Institute selected the Living Machine technology to accommodate the wastewater flows from their laundry and lodging facilities as part of an expansion and upgrade to their existing primary wastewater treatment operation. The Tidal Wetland Living Machine system constructed for Esalen Institute treats up to 7,000 gpd of wastewater and is the most advanced Living Machine system design available. Esalen’s Living Machine system provides high quality effluent that can be used for drip irrigation and to help protect groundwater resources when it is returned to the environment.  — Esalen Living Machine Case Study

Technology Demonstration, Tema, Ghana – 2007

The Tema Hybrid Wetland Living Machine system treats 8,000 gpd of wastewater. In the past, sewage from the adjacent community in Tema was released directly from a holding tank into the Sakumono Lagoon. Now, the wastewater leaves the tank and enters the Living Machine system. The water is treated and reused to irrigate a food crop and to sustain the surrounding wetland. The Hybrid Wetland Living Machine system, with its low cost, low energy consumption and ease of maintenance, was the perfect solution for this African city.

Guilford County, Northern Middle & High Schools, Greensboro, NC – 2007

A Hybrid Wetland Living Machine system treats 30,600 gpd of wastewater at the new campus of the Guilford County Northern Middle and High Schools. Consistent with the school district’s commitment to sustainable design and resource conservation, treated effluent from the Living Machine system is reused to irrigate athletic fields. The Hybrid Wetland Living Machine system, in operation since the spring of 2007, will also provide onsite educational opportunities for students when the high school opens in early 2008.  — Guilford County Living Machine Case Study

Las Vegas Regional Animal Campus, Las Vegas, NV – 2005

The Animal Foundation, located in Las Vegas, Nevada, significantly expanded its animal holding and adoption facilities at the Regional Animal Campus (RAC) in 2005. The increased number of kennels and runs for the dogs require up to 25,000 gpd of water for wash down. As part of an overall sustainable design approach, wastewater generated by the RAC is treated by a Tidal Flow Wetland Living Machine system and reused for kennel wash down and other appropriate uses. In addition to meeting required levels of wastewater treatment, the Living Machine system provides opportunities for public education and interaction.  — Las Vegas RAC Living Machine Case Study

El Monte Sagrado Resort, Taos, NM – 2002

El Monte Sagrado is an example of a philosophy of working with “ecosystems as infrastructure”. The Living Machine system, designed to treat 4,000 gallons per day of wastewater, was integrated from the beginning with architectural design to produce a comprehensive design solution for a high desert resort. Specific design challenges included seasonal collection of rainwater, energy independent heating and cooling systems, ecological treatment and reuse of wastewater, environmentally friendly disinfection, composting and reuse of organic wastes, onsite/local production of food, establishment of native ecosystems as landscape, and the use of earth–based building materials.  — El Monte Sagrado Resort Living Machine Case Study

YMCA Camp Seymour, Gig Harbor, WA – 2002

As part of a plan to accommodate an increase in the number of annual visitors, a great deal of consideration was given to preserving natural resources and minimizing environmental impacts within the Camp’s local environment. Consequently, in keeping with the Camp’s underlying philosophy of promoting and teaching environmental stewardship, the Living Machine system was chosen to address wastewater treatment needs. The Camp Seymour Living Machine system was designed to achieve advanced quality effluent suitable for reuse for an average flow of 10,000 gpd, with future plans to expand the system to accommodate up to 14,000 gpd. This system essentially eliminated potential impacts to the environmentally sensitive Puget Sound, and also proved to be a beneficial asset to the Camp’s environmental curriculum.

IslandWood, Bainbridge Island, WA – 2001

The IslandWood Living Machine system was designed to treat and recycle an average daily flow of 3,000 gpd. Consequently, a 70‑80% potable water savings is realized at this facility. The Living Machine system was designed to dovetail with the center’s goal of educating visitors about ecological interactions and sustainability through hands‑on learning. In addition, the Living Machine system closes the gap between conservation and sustainability, as the treated effluent is reused onsite for toilet flushing and landscape irrigation.

Conserve School, Land o’ Lakes, WI – 2000

In keeping with the focus of the school, while also preserving the surrounding environment of woods, wetlands and lakes, the School’s Board of Trustees elected to incorporate a Living Machine system into the original construction of the Conserve School. To accommodate anticipated growth, the Conserve School Living Machine system was designed to be expanded in phases to an eventual average daily flow capacity of 38,000 gpd. In addition to treating wastewater generated throughout the school facility to an advanced treatment level, this system also serves as a living laboratory and hands‑on classroom for the students. The Living Machine system has become a valuable component of the School’s science curriculum, as well as a highlight of the School tour.

Cedar Grove Cheese, Plain, WI – 1999

For 100 years, Cedar Grove Cheese was able to dispose of their wastewater in a natural absorption pond. Then in 1995, Cedar Grove expanded their facility and the Department of Natural Resources concluded that the pond was not adequately processing the factory’s waste. Cedar Grove turned to a Living Machine system to solve its wastewater problem. Cheese production wastewater results from the washing of milk delivery trucks; washing production tanks, vats and equipment; and from general floor cleaning. Cedar Grove’s Living Machine system is designed to treat 6,500 gpd of production wastewater. The Living Machine system treats the facility’s wastewater to advanced standards suitable for direct discharge to Honey Creek.

Earth Centre, Doncaster, United Kingdom – 1999

The Living Machine system is the core element in the science and technology exhibit “Water Works” for visitor interaction and education. The Living Machine system treats sanitary wastewater from visitor restrooms and restaurants. The wastewater is approximately ten times the strength of conventional sanitary wastewater, due to the innovative zero flush urinals and vacuum flush toilet system. The Living Machine system was designed for phased construction to 40,000 gpd to allow for Earth Centre growth. A portion of the final effluent is recycled for onsite horticulture.

Living Machine Demonstration, South Burlington, VT – 1996 to 2000

Built in late 1995, the South Burlington Living Machine system was ramped‑up to full design flow by April 1996. This facility was built with a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency for innovative technology. This Living Machine system demonstrated excellent treatment performance, even at very cold temperatures. The South Burlington Living Machine system treated 80,000 gallons per day of municipal sewage, an amount typically generated by approximately 1,600 residential users. The waste stream was diverted from the City’s conventional treatment plant. The South Burlington Living Machine system was also used as a teaching tool for many different schools and universities in the region.

Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH – 1999

The idea for the Adam Joseph Lewis Center for Environmental Studies at Oberlin College began as a course project and evolved to the completion of a truly sustainable building. One of many innovative technological features incorporated into the design of this building, the 2,500 gpd Living Machine system is functional in many respects. It treats the building’s wastewater to advanced treatment standards suitable for reuse; it teaches all who enter about the interconnectedness of nature and the innovative science behind the waste treatment process; and, it brings the building to life with plants and water movement. The Living Machine system also provides a nearly infinite source of research projects for students and faculty alike.

Darrow School, New Lebanon, NY – 1998

Several years ago, Darrow School administrators found they needed to replace an aging septic system. Instead of using traditional septic tanks and leach fields, they decided to purchase an 8,500 gpd Living Machine system. Besides processing the school’s wastewater, the Living Machine system is an integral part of the school’s new Samson Environmental Center and provides a setting for a wide variety of educational activities. The Center was designed using principles of sustainable design and construction. The innovative nature of the Living Machine system, coupled with the educational programs that tie into its use, draw positive outside attention to the school, its mission and philosophy.

I‑91 Vermont Welcome Center, Guilford, VT – 1997

The Vermont Welcome Center, the State’s busiest Interstate Highway Rest Area, became so busy that it had exceeded the limited leach field capacity on the site. The cost of piping sewage to the nearest community from this remote site was prohibitive. In December 1996, a Living Machine system was proposed to reduce flows to the leach field by using treated water to flush toilets. The Living Machine system treats sewage from the rest stop to Vermont’s reuse standards and recycles the water as flush water in the toilets. The facility is designed for 4,300 visitors per day, generating up to 6,075 gpd of wastewater. Flows fluctuate widely with seasonal and weekend use, peaking at 1,000 gallons per hour.

Findhorn Foundation, Moray, United Kingdom – 1995

In order to receive municipal approval to construct more housing, the Findhorn Foundation Community must treat its sewage onsite. Needing a cost‑effective solution that provides reuse quality water, the Foundation chose a Living Machine system. The challenge of this project was to treat wastewater from the small residential community on the North coast of Scotland, while providing capacity for large seasonal fluctuations in flow resulting from over 10,000 visitors per year. The treatment plant was opened as the final event of the “Eco‑Villages and Sustainable Communities: Models for the 21st Century” conference on October 13, 1995. The Living Machine system treats up to 17,000 gpd of sewage to reuse standards.

Ethel M Chocolates, Henderson, NV – 1995

Senior management at Mars was familiar with the Living Machine system after pilot testing at another Mars facility. When planning an expansion of their Ethel M Chocolates plant, they looked to a Living Machine system to help them meet tighter discharge requirements. The Living Machine system at Ethel M provides advanced treatment of confectionery process wastewater. The treated effluent is reused for onsite landscape irrigation. Sludge is also treated onsite by a composting reed bed, making this a zero discharge facility. Ethel M’s Living Machine system treats up to 32,000 gpd of high‑strength confectionery production wastewater. Ethel M Chocolates has added the Living Machine system to their well‑established factory tour so it can be viewed seven days a week.

National Audubon Society, Naples, FL – 1994

Due to limited leach field capacity, the National Audubon Society was unable to expand its visitor facilities at the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Conventional wastewater options would have altered a large portion of the swamp. A Living Machine system, modeled after the ecology of the swamp, treats up to 10,000 gpd of sanitary wastewater from the restrooms at the visitor’s center and recycles the treated water back to the toilets, reducing discharge by approximately 90 percent. A screen enclosure has been constructed around the Living Machine system to culture and house a diverse butterfly community. The Living Machine system provides a beautiful garden at the visitor’s center and offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the natural water purification taking place, not only in the Living Machine system, but in the swamp itself.