I could have titled this blog something like “Ecology, Biology, Technology in a Neat Little Package.” Or, “That’s no Greenhouse—That’s My Wastewater Treatment System!” And yet, if you are thinking, “What’s in a Name? A Wastewater Treatment System by Any Other Name Would Smell as Sweet…” think again. The 2015 WEF Innovative Technology Award to be presented this week at WEFTEC goes to OneWater’s Algaewheel. The technology relies on sunlight, algae, and bacteria and the system resembles a greenhouse or outdoor conservatory. You wouldn’t go in there to drink your afternoon tea, but your afternoon tea may find its way through there even so. Simon Zuanic, CEO of OneWater Group says, “Algaewheel has none of the undesirable aspects of traditional wastewater treatment, most notably unattractive facilities that need to be hidden, ambient noise, odors that permeate the air, and unpredictable future user fees. Algaewheel is truly sustainable, an economic and environmental solution that cannot be achieved with current technology; benefiting communities and businesses for years to come.”
