Originally published September 27 2005
Vermont uses plants to clean waste water at memorial rest stop
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A Vermont rest stop that is also the site of a Vietnam veterans' memorial utilizes a greenhouse full of exotic plants to treat its wastewater before returning it to the toilets, but C-Net News reports the project has as many fiscally-focused detractors as environmental-minded supporters.
State officials said the system, called a living machine, not only advanced so-called green construction, but also allows the rest area to stay open and the country's first Vietnam veterans memorial, erected in 1982, to remain at the site.
"We thought it was important to do something honoring our Vietnam veterans, and Vermont has a long tradition of environmental stewardship."
The rest stop, a $6.3 million complex that includes the toilets, the greenhouse, an array of Vermont tourism brochures and a newer, bigger Vietnam memorial, will open to the public in September.
But the project is not without skeptics, who say that while the spot should be preserved for the veterans memorial, the additional bells and whistles are a waste of taxpayer money.
Jim Kenyon of The Valley News of White River Junction wrote in a June 29 column critical of the cost.
State officials and the state's builders trade association said rest areas were expensive because the construction had to be sturdy enough for high use and because many spots on Vermont highways had poor drainage.
Much of the money, like that for the Sharon rest stop, was federal highway money.
Ed von Turkovich, state director of buildings and environmental services, said the state was sensitive to cost, but thought the Sharon rest center would help promote Vermont's economy.
Howard Dean and the legislature to spare the rest area, where the Vietnam memorial, a simple granite obelisk, had been placed for a particular reason.
The technology is used by businesses, schools and some local governments to purify toilet water, industrial runoff and contaminated bodies of water.
People familiar with the technology say this is the first time a state has built a permanent rest area whose toilets run exclusively on a living machine.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml