Solar-powered wastewater treatment 'a game changer'

A P.E.I. company has shipped what it calls the world's first solar-powered, mobile wastewater treatment system.

The system was built by Montague-based IslandWater Technologies.Housed in a standard 20-foot (six-metre) cargo container, the unit can be installed in areas without local electricity inone or two days, andmanaged by one person on site.

"This solution is a game-changer for wastewater treatment at remote camps," said Island Water Technologies CEO Patrick Kiely in a news release.

"This sustainable technologysaves money and reduces risk for remote population clusters that require on-site wastewater treatment."

1st unit shipped Tuesday

The first of the units, which are available commercially for $500,000, was shipped Tuesday. It was purchased by the Canadian military, and will be tested at CFB Gagetown over the next four months.

The military used money from the Build in Canada Innovation Program.

Kiely said potential applications for the technology include military and humanitarian operations, remote mining and work camps, and remote rural communities.

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