Ecological Treatment of Blackwater for Onsite Non-potable Reuse Phase I Proposal

Our research is focused on EPA SBIR Topic 1A: Decentralized wastewater treatment (septic system) technologies for intentional non-potable reuse. LeapFrog research aims to provide innovative decentralized water treatment for non-potable reuse and capture onsite for single-family residence scale. Across the country, growing demand for high-quality water is met with long term challenges due to drought, changing weather patterns, sea level rise, and water pollution. Current trends of increased water use have led to extreme water scarcity across most of the western United States. This rise in demand for water along with its increasing scarcity is causing unsustainable pressure on remaining fresh water resources. Furthermore, failure of existing wastewater infrastructure, specifically, decentralized wastewater treatment, is at unsanitary and unsafe levels. Failure rates in some states are as high as 50%, which will only increase as septic system use expands (Mohamed, 2009). Additionally, failed septic systems are one of the largest contributors of nutrient pollution in our waterways (Mallin, 2006). 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. We have learned from customer discovery that the septic upgrade market is underserved with shortages of equipment and prices that make retrofits out of reach for many households. Failed septic systems present severe pains for homeowners, with noxious odors, unusable landscaping, and significant risks to human health. Furthermore, when attempting to alleviate these customer pains with existing products, they are too expensive, hard to install, and unattractive. Wastewater can be captured and treated onsite for non potable reuse, reducing water pollution and extending water supply.With our ecological treatment technology, we meet this pent-up demand with the best onsite wastewater treatment reuse option that addresses known customer pain points and provides the performance they want—it costs less, is easier and quicker to install, has fewer maintenance requirements, uses less energy, and sequesters carbon—because we have rethought infrastructure to include ecology. That means we partner with the natural ecological systems found in wetlands to create the first internet-connected, modular ecological treatment technology.