What Is H.I.P. And How Does It Work?

H.I.P. , or___, is a proposed supplementary water filtering system that will recycle waste water known as Greywater, produce Hydroelectric energy and allow the local government to provide free or cheaper water to the denizens of Ambler with a decreased impact to the environment. The system is based on a simple mechanism: Gravity.

The main filtering facility (pictured) is about the size of an average water tower. It avoids looking out-of-place because it is buried underground, with only about 10 feet of the top exposed. Waste water flows in from outside storage tanks and enters the first tank where it passes through progressivly finer filters. As it moves to the second, lower tank it turns a turbine that generates hydroelectric energy.

In the second tank, The water undergoes chemical treatment. Through processes know as aeration little bubbles of water rise to the surface removing impurities like Radon. During another, simultaneous process called coagulation Lime and Alum are added to the water, creating large clumps of impurities called flocs which are removed in one last filter.

The water is now at the bottom of the tank. It is drawn through a pipe and then pumped to the surface using the electricity generated by the turbines to be sent to the rest of the community.