Washington DC Converts Human Waste into Electricity

This is the biggest waste treatment or 'poop to power' plant in the US. Most of the human waste from Washington DC is transformed into water, plant food and even electricity

But it's worth the effort - most of the human waste from Washington DC is transformed into water, plant food and even electricity.

Excrement is stored in rows of massive tanks. The 2.5 million residents in the US capital work tirelessly to keep them full - everyone from cleaning ladies, food sellers, congressmen and even the president do their part. But how does the system work?

Well, after several levels of filtering, the waste is seperated. The bacteria in solids under high temperatures and pressure converts into bio-gas, which can be used to generate electricity.

Theodora Retsina, process engineer, District of Columbia water and sewage authority: "The microbes here actually convert the material to methane gas so that's what it's doing in 20 days, the bugs are munching and they are essentially giving off gas."

The liquid is then purified. But according to American standards, it's not drinkable.

But sometimes, the water is sent to desert areas of the US or flushed into the river.

Theodora Retsina, process engineer, District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority: "Even the water which leaves the plant is crystal clear. So, we put it back to the river.

- Can We drink it?

- Under current regulations, EBA says we can not drink it, but there are places in the United States, that do blended it with a drinking water to drink it. But they add an additional process to it. But it's exceptionally clean product at the end "

The facility produces enough energy to provide 10,000 households with power. This complex costs half a billion dollars annually to run.

Ecologists calculate that it's cheaper to invest that money in this plant then it would be to build a regular waste treatment facility.

If the American capital's population is going to grow, this poop-to-power plant will not only work for self-sufficiency, but could also sell electricity.

Source: Ukraine Today

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Taxonomy

• Solid Waste Treatment
• Waste to Energy
• Waste Management