Triangle Environmental Health Initiative (TE) is collaborating with partners in Virginia’s Middle Peninsula to implement onsite wastewater treatment systems for non-potable reuse in rural communities. These systems aim to provide flood-resilient septage systems and reduce strain on well water.

In addition to funding and mentorship, TE receives a full value chain of services from the community, including access to physical infrastructure as a living laboratory to demonstrate and refine their products. This novel, cross-sector collaboration has turned climate resilience into an economic driver for the region.

Triangle Environmental has been developing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) technologies for use worldwide from its North Carolina headquarters since 2016. Their products are focused on onsite wastewater treatment and resource recovery, and their consulting services are geared toward the development of sustainable WaSH products, services, and ecosystems for resource-constrained communities internationally and in the U.S.

Transforming Dredged Material into Sustainable Solutions with Natrx

Natrx is paving the way for a more sustainable future by turning dredged material waste into a key component for eco-friendly construction. The climate technology company has developed an innovative technology that uses dredged material as a partial replacement for cement in concrete. This process involves heating the dredged material to produce calcined clay, which can substitute up to 70% of the cement in concrete production. This groundbreaking approach offers numerous benefits:

• Environmental Impact: Instead of sending dredged materials to landfills, Natrx repurposes them, reducing waste and making it easier for dredging projects to gain approval. The substitution of traditional cement with calcined clay significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, making concrete production more environmentally friendly.
• Cost Savings: By converting waste into a valuable product, Natrx’s new approach has the potential to lower disposal costs for dredging projects by about 50%, saving $2 million to $3.8 million annually. Over 20 years, this adds up to $20 million to $76 million in savings.

Biogenic Solutions is a leading provider of consulting support in restoration, mitigation, and biogenic shoreline reef management. Dr. Russell Burke is the chief consultant and has been providing advisory support to federal, state and local government agencies, as well as non-profit organizations, private companies, and individual homeowners for more than five years. Dr. Burke earned his Bachelors of Science in Marine Science and Environmental Science from Rider University, and a Ph.D. in Marine Science from the College of William & Mary’s School of Marine Science at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Currently, he is a full-time professor at Christopher Newport University.

With a career commitment to Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay, Biogenic Solutions Consulting has invested years into biogenic breakwater reef technology. Expertise in oyster reef restoration and living shorelines has enabled them to offer novel, biogenic solutions to private homeowners, commercial waterfront properties, and municipalities seeking more natural, sustainable approaches to shoreline protection and oyster reef development. Their systems provide a reprieve from erosive wave energy, accelerate oyster reef community development, and allow for customization suitable to address both physical and budgetary constraints specific to each project site.

This pilot project is more than just an innovation, it’s a beacon of hope for rural coastal homes and businesses. Here’s why:

• Overcoming Drainfield Failure: By eliminating the need for a traditional drainfield, this system is a game-changer for areas where they are failing.
• Designed for Coastal Challenges: It’s specifically designed to handle the unique challenges of coastal areas – rising sea levels, and more frequent and intense rainfalls.
• Safeguarding Homes and Businesses: This system offers a reliable and sustainable  wastewater treatment option, which is crucial for the livelihood and safety of these communities.

THE INNOVATIVE APPROACH

• Advanced Waste Collection and Treatment: The system collects wastewater like usual but then treats it in a vertically elevated unit (typically on pilings), ensuring it’s not affected by flooding.
• Safe Discharge: Wastewater is treated to a high quality, meeting state standards to discharge away from the property.
• Resilient Water Reuse: Alternatively, after treatment, water is stored and reused in a way that’s safe and eco-friendly (irrigation, flushing toilets, etc.), a big plus for areas where water resources can be strained.

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