The Living Machine

The Living Machine:

Sharon, Vermont Rest Area & San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Headquarters

I can see a lot more of a use at this smaller scale, like the Sheron Vermont Rest Area, where it can also be a learning facility for schools, and for research projects. I think having them at this smaller scale makes it seem a lot more attainable for more common. As long as projects like these keep popping up, I think it will become a more common practice.

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Headquarters

There are practices similar where the application of the Living Machine concept is applied. In San Francisco at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Headquarters, is the practice of the Living Machine. This building is one of the first buildings in the nation with onsite treatment and reuse of gray and black water. This “Living Machine” is treating and reclaiming the building buildings wastewater to satisfy 100% of the water demands for the building's low-flow toilets. The Living Machine is reducing the building's water use by about 65% and saving 800,000 gallons of water a year.

The Process: