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What Is Something Green We Could Do With Sewage?

As with all biological life forms, human beings produce waste. What to do with the waste produced by large population groups, such as a city, has been a problem throughout the centuries. In modern times sewage is treated in large plants, pollutants are removed and the water is returned to the environment. Experts in the field continue to refine methods for treating waste and minimizing its impact on the environment.

  1. Gray Water Uses

    • Gray water is waste water free of human urine or feces. The water comes from showers, bathtubs, sinks and washing machines. The World Heath Organization recommends using gray water to flush toilets, water gardens or for large irrigation projects. By recycling gray water, fresh potable water is preserved.

    Black Water Uses

    • Black water is effluent with human urine and feces. Black water is difficult to use since pathogens such as E. coli are present. The World Heath Organization states treated black water is useful for nonedible fertilizing and irrigation, such as sports fields or tree farms. Simply Green Biofuels in New Hampshire is experimenting with using black water to fertilize a species of algae that produces oil.

    Stormwater Uses

    • Stormwater sewage is rain runoff from roads, roofs and other sources that ends up in the storm sewers. This water can be used to irrigate crops and to flush toilets. In essence, it's used instead of using potable water. Making potable water is an energy intensive process, requiring large treatment plants that use electricity. To avoid confusion in the piping systems to home and buildings, the World Heath Organization recommends dying recycled water green, so its easily identified.

    Electricity Production

    • As of 2011, the research and development of using sewage water efficiently is in its infancy. The General Electric Company has an "Ecoimagination" area, where people submit environmentally friendly ideas. One person submitted the idea of placing hydroelectric generators at large storm drain openings. When it rains, the stormwater flow would spin turbine blades attached to generators and produce electricity.

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