AP Photo/NASA
READ MORE ABOUT:
Despite the troubles we hear of NASA's future in space travel, they continue to remodel the International Space Station. The current goal is to increase its occupancy from just three astronauts to up to six. In addition they are planning some modern creature comforts like an improved kitchenette with a new refrigerator, more bedrooms, workout equipment, half-bath, and a urine water cooler.
Okay, so it's not exactly urine once the system is through recycling it, but NASA has developed a mean, clean, pee-cycling machine to the tune of about $250,000. And we're not talking about the typical government hammer for $25,000 or a toilet seat for $50,000. This is a legitimate high-tech system which is capable of filtering out an entire days worth of waste water for six people, retrieving about 90 percent of that into completely clean, good tasting, reusable H2O.
While the cost of the unit will keep these out of our personal homes for many years to come, it does give us hope for a more sustainable future. Each time we flush our urine down the typical urban public sewer system, we are adding to a pee-print which involves a significant amount of energy to process the stuff back into clean, safe, and usable water.
There are really only two ways we can improve upon this right now. First, we can use a Separett Composting Toilet (or equivalent), which is a waterless unit that allows you and your waste to become fairly self sustaining. It works by separating the urine from the feces, allowing a constant supply of plant water and compost to be on hand for use with your garden and greens.
Second, we can follow the golden rule, If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down, or even more simply, just go outside and sprinkle the rose garden whenever nature calls. Although the rose garden idea is slightly easier said than done where many women are concerned...the hopping squat sprinkler often brings too much attention to one's self when you've got neighbors to contend with!
More on greening your water usage:
How Green is your Toilet
How to Go Green: Bathroom Renovation: Getting Techie
Stored Rainwater, How to Use it Everyday
Top Water Conservation Tips
Getting Ready for Earth Day: Save Water When You Shower
-
- {}
