Redesigning Basics - Lessons From Nature

"One Size Slipper doesn't fit all". That was the message in a recent article by Prof. Jeffrey Hammer from Princeton University. He was writing on a village self-government (Gram Swaraj) scheme funded by the World Bank in Karnataka, India.

I strongly believe that a Buckminster-style design approach to EcoSan will go a long way in making this technology more user-friendly and affordable. Focused messaging and marketing on the benefits could then lead to wider adoption.Too Much Water. When water usage increases, often due to extra people in the facility, it can overload the septic tank. This results in sewage backup or soppy lawns.Inconsistent Operation. Austin requires septic systems be monitored with periodic operations. When a sewage plant isn�t pumped on schedule, for example, the solid waste keeps the wastewater from the septic field.Odor. If you notice a strong sewage odor around the facility, it probably means the wastewater isn�t where it�s supposed to be.Many people don�t realize an on-site wastewater treatment plant requires regular maintenance. First, the OSSF requires design; second, the septic tank�s construction begins; finally, regular OSSF operations and maintenance will be required intermittently throughout the wastewater plant�s life.You need a professional to know which OSSF permits require updating, which repairs require permits and which operation procedures your particular sewage system requires. For on-site sewage construction, operation and repair in Austin and the surrounding area, contact Waste Water Solutions. The professionals at WWS will help you get your wastewater treatment and disposal on track.The Western toilet, with its flushing system, was designed in the mid-18th century and has remained relatively unchanged over the last two and a half centuries. While the level of water consumption per flush has decreased over this period, the current system still wastes too much valuable water. Further, it requires expensive plumbing and public sewage systems to ensure proper waste disposal. Perhaps most importantly, it ignores nature's elegant design principle of zero waste: the waste generated by every individual is scientifically proven to be adequate, as fertilizer, to grow enough food for one person.While this incident is an example of a greater need for village autonomy, it set me researching on a different topic - sanitation technology. Some of the statistics were startling - more than 2 billion people across the globe have no access to proper toilets (600 million in India alone). Of a billion toilets connected to proper sewage systems throughout the world, only 300 million undergo proper end-of-pipe treatment before discharges and released into rivers, streams, ponds, lakes and seas.

Sanitation is just one of the areas where fresh designs are needed for items of daily use. We need to redesign the houses we live in, the automobiles we use, the places we work, and our consumption patterns - various important facets of our lives - to create a more sustainable planet. New Constructs is your opportunity to shape this dialogue. What everyday items would you like to see redesigned?

Author: Sudhakar Ram