Inspiration
Diversions is inspired by the potential of waste. We believe that the most innovative solutions are right under our noses and by valuing waste we can not only conserve water, but also create a system that delivers maximum benefits to our communities and the environment.
What it does
Diversions is a hybrid solution that is fit for purpose and combines existing water infrastructure with flexible local solutions that can be easily integrated with future high density housing.
Cleverly taking advantage of existing technologies, Diversions separates urine from blackwater at the source, stabilising the waste in a 15 square meter holding tanks housed in the basement of your apartment building, from where it is collected by Diversions staff every two weeks and transported to our specialty plant. Diversions processes this waste product using an intellectual property protected process that produces organic fertiliser for resale to the local community and agriculture sector.
The blackwater that has had the urine removed is easier for water authorities to process and significantly reduces the number or nutrients and contaminants that currently make their way into our waterways and contribute to eutrophication. It also allows for easier water recycling, alleviating stress on our water sources and turning our cities into catchments.
Diversions is designed to function as a key element within a diverse range of integrated hybrid solutions that together build Water Sensitive Cities.
How we built it
Diversions is designed to be fitted to new high density buildings. With minimal infrastructure additions, Diversions only requires the use of a urine diverting toilet in place of a standard toilet, with the second pipe being fed to the apartment basement or easily accessible area into a 15 square meter holding tank that stabilises the urine.
The holding tank has the capacity to hold 10,000L of waste and only needs to be emptied approximately every 2 weeks. Upon emptying, the stabilised waste is transported to the Diversions facility to be converted into organic fertilizer, oxygen and hydrogen. If the Diversions processing plant is not operational before the roll out of the urine diversion units, the process is able to take place at other factories in the interim.
We hope with the steadily growing population rise in urban areas, demand for high density housing and requirements for housing to me climate clever, that the incorporation of Diversions into high density new builds will become mandatory through BASIX.
Challenges we ran into
The largest challenge we face is support from industry bodies. We know that our technology works, however we would like to run a pilot program within our local community in order to demonstrate its potential and iron out any kinks.
From there, our next challenge will be advocating for this technology to be incorporated into urban development and raising the capital to scale quickly.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
The largest challenge we face is support from industry bodies. We know that our technology works, however we would like to run a pilot program within our local community in order to demonstrate its potential and iron out any kinks.
From there, our next challenge will be advocating for this technology to be incorporated into urban development and raising the capital to scale quickly.
What we learned
The greatest lesson we have learned is that by addressing one small issue within the urban water cycle, there are countless benefits for the community, water industry and local environment. When we focus on our local community and find place based solutions, these solutions can also be applied to diverse communities around the country.
What's next for Diversions
We are hoping to develop a prototype and pilot program with our local council and water authority to further develop and refine our initiative and work to integrate our solution into our cities strategic future.
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