Ecological Treatment of Blackwater for Onsite Non-potable Reuse

Across the country, growing demand for high-quality water is met with long-term challenges due to drought and water pollution. Increasing scarcity is causing unsustainable pressure on remaining fresh water resources. Concurrently, failure of existing wastewater infrastructure, specifically, decentralized wastewater treatment, is at unsanitary and unsafe levels. Failed septic systems are one of the most significant contributors of nutrient pollution in our waterways. Approximately 24% of households in the United States (roughly 60 million) currently depend on septic systems and one-third of all new homes are being built with septic. These homes are typically in rural areas, barrier islands, or other areas difficult for centralized water systems to operate. Unfortunately, failure rates of conventional septic systems in some states are as high as 50%. In coastal areas and regions prone to precipitation and flooding, failing septic systems contaminate groundwater and local waterways with dangerous pathogens. Currently, untreated and undertreated wastewater from failed septic systems and cesspools leaches into surface and groundwater, creating a toxic missed opportunity. Instead, we can elegantly transform this wasteful byproduct into clean water fit for reuse. Wastewater can be captured and treated onsite for non-potable reuse, reducing water pollution and extending the water supply at the same time. LeapFrog Design has developed nature-based treatment technology for non-potable greywater reuse and is now expanding the applications of this technology to septic treatment and reuse. LeapFrog Design’s modular ecological treatment system is an ideal innovation for decentralized wastewater treatment technology. It is an attractive landscape feature that utilizes wetland ecology to efficiently treat wastewater without complicated mechanisms. We utilize remote monitoring and automated controls to optimize treatment and minimize maintenance costs. Remote monitoring and the modular above-ground position of our system reduce maintenance costs that would otherwise be highly variable in conventional septic markets. Our Phase I award culminated in the development of a fully functioning treatment system which was installed at a residential scale and tested under field conditions. The system achieved our objectives of meeting relevant standards for treatment and reuse, easily integrating with existing residential septic systems and landscapes, and reducing the cost of septic system monitoring and maintenance. Following successful proof of concept and pilot-scale deployment in Phase I, we will continue pilot-scale testing, developing new technologies and enhancements to further improve performance and lower costs, and optimizing the technology for manufacturing and commercialization.