Greywater rootzone treatment beds and banana plantings treat the dormitory wastewater as there is no centralized wastewater infrastructure in this area.
Herrera scientist Mark Merkelbach and his wife traveled to Auroville, India for three months in 2002 to help design and build a student dormitory. This project is part of the University of Washington Building Sustainable Communities (BaSiC) initiative. The program focuses on integrating sustainable building practices in Auroville, a community strongly dedicated to exploring sustainability technologies. Mr. Merkelbach designed and built a greywater system that treats water from 12 dormitory occupants, using gravel filter beds and wetland plants. The treated greywater irrigates a banana plantation that is integrated into the building’s landscape. Gravel filtration and wetland treatment of greywater is an essential technology for irrigating crops and protecting the shallow aquifer in this drought stricken area.