CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.—Worrell Water Technologies and YMCA of Silicon Valley announced that YMCA Camp Campbell in Boulder Creek, Calif., installed a Living Machine ecological wastewater treatment and reuse system for its year-round camp. The YMCA opted to install an on-site solution that would support year-round camping and also serve as an outdoor learning lab for its popular Outdoor Science School. The school is aimed at fifth and sixth grade students visiting from 75 schools in the area surrounding the camp.
The Living Machine system can be used in rural locations or in rapidly developing areas that have failing or limited water infrastructure, and can be integrated with existing water systems to increase capacity.
“The Living Machine system enables us to continue to create a healthy environment for our campers and to meet our environmental standards,” said Kathy Riggins, CEO of YMCA of Silicon Valley. “Students, families and colleagues on corporate retreats at YMCA Camp Campbell can see first-hand how ecosystems work by watching the Living Machine system naturally break down wastewater with plants and microorganisms.”
Up to 5,000 Gallons Processed Daily
Faced with having to upgrade its existing wastewater treatment system to meet Santa Cruz county requirements, YMCA Camp Campbell selected the Living Machine system to process up to 5,000 gallons of wastewater every day. The wastewater is collected in a buried primary tank and pumped into a series of wetland basins. Natural ecosystem processes combined with a computerized control system and a touch screen interface automate the process of alternately draining and filling wetland basins in a manner that occurs naturally in wetlands. The tidal cycles provide oxygen and nutrients for microorganisms that live in the wetland and naturally treat the wastewater.
“YMCA Camp Campbell is a great example of a site that is off the sewer grid and rural, yet able to install an advanced ecological wastewater treatment system that is aesthetic, energy-efficient, affordable and has a small footprint,” said Will Kirksey, executive vice president at Worrell Water Technologies. “The Living Machine system is easily operated through an Internet-based control system supporting automatic alerts and remote monitoring.”
“We are happy that something so natural and chemical-free can operate within our camp,” added Riggins. “Worrell Water Technologies provided us with permitting support and operating data that documented the success of the Living Machine system in producing high quality water output.”
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