Eco-Friendly: Your Bathroom can be an Eco-System

Published on July 25, 2009 |

Imagine reusing your wasted water in the bathroom.

Designer Jun Yasumoto has created one, his mini-eco-system uses the principles of phyto-purification, a filtering process that recycles the water that is wasted.

Normally used in ecological purification systems, an organic system re-cycles the water from the shower and basin allowing it to be reused.

THE PHYTO PURIFICATION PROCESS:

- Rushes are planted in sand which allows the filtration of larger particles. The root system of the rushes contain various bacteria enabling the breakdown of these particles for absorption by the plant.

- Reeds are planted next to the rushes due to their ability to filter the heavy metals from the water.

- Floating water hyacinths are used due to their ability to draw some of the water borne particles through their roots.

- Lemnas (aquatic plants) bind to the remaining aquatic micro-organisms to complete the filtration process.

- The final step uses a carbon filter to absorb the remaining micro-particles.

Ok, so you may not like the idea of bathing again in this water (or it may take some getting used to), but the water could prove acceptable for many other household requirements thus reducing your carbon footprint and allowing you to become more green.

Simon Turner