Hey buddy, what are you doing with that wastewater??

Wastewater... nobody wants it stinking up the community, nor do they want it to seep back into the ground all unproductive like and threaten the few drops remaining in the aquifers.

Yet...

Algae-to-Biofuels Wastewater Pilot Program to Begin in Arizona
Gilbert, Ariz., is partnering with PetroSun Biofuels to evaluate wastewater as a nutrient source for algae cultivation
July 2, 2009

PetroSun BioFuels and the Town of Gilbert, Ariz., have executed an agreement to commence an algae-to-biofuels wastewater pilot program at the Neely Wastewater Reclamation Facility.

...

"The Town of Gilbert has a stated interest in expanding the sources for renewable and sustainable energy for the benefit of its citizens," stated Gordon LeBlanc, Jr., PetroSun CEO. "This wastewater pilot program is an important step in the commercialization of the algae industry.”

When will our community show some leadership on this front??

Oldcastle Precast Announces Agreement With Algaewheel
Oldcastle will sell Algaewheel technology as part of its decentralized wastewater systems
July 10, 2009

Oldcastle Precast recently announced that it has signed an exclusive agreement with Indianapolis-based Algaewheel Technologies, LLC, to sell Algaewheel technology as part of its decentralized wastewater treatment systems in the U.S.

Under the terms of the agreement, Oldcastle will incorporate the unique and patented “green” algal growth process to effectively manage wastewater treatment in a sustainable manner. Oldcastle’s systems will be applicable for cluster housing, commercial, educational, institutional, and other applications where connecting to a central sanitary sewer is not possible or is too expensive.

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Kingsland explained, “There are huge green benefits to this technology in that as algae grows through photosynthesis (solar energy usage), it produces oxygen and uses CO2. The carbon footprint of the systems is significantly smaller, and the resulting biomass is a renewable energy source.”

Just trying to help the water worry warts to think outside of the box... errr... I mean shell.

If you are worried about the smell of projects like this, check this one out...

Pima County, Ariz., Adopts New Technology to Monitor Odor
Tool senses odor like the human nose, alerts operators
June 22, 2009

The first permanent U.S. installation of a unique technology that can “smell” an odor problem before it occurs recently went on line in Tucson, Ariz., according to the technology provider, N.A. Water Systems, a Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies company.

OdoWatch is now operational at the Roger Road Wastewater Reclamation Facility, where six electronic noses (e-noses) calibrated to smell odors like the human nose are installed at the facility. The unit performs real-time air dispersion modeling to generate a color-coded plume indicating the level of odor on a map of the site.

The proactive tool for odor management is intended to improve community relations by eliminating odor complaints. It will serve as an early warning system that will enable the staff at the plant to make quick changes when they are needed.

The system quantifies odor, and if the level begins to approach the threshold that can be perceived as a nuisance by a human nose, an alert notifies operators that actions must be taken to mitigate the situation. OdoWatch can also be used to determine which odor source at a facility is causing the alert.

The things people think of and provide solutions for.