As worldwide demand for energy increases, prices at the pump and at the meter will continue to rise. Similarly, rapid development across the U.S. increases the demand placed on our aging and failing sewage and water infrastructure systems , our water and sewer bills are only going to increase. But recentinterest in alternative fuels and water supplies might produce solutions to both challenges. 

Scientists and students from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, are working on a project/experiment aimed at producing bio-diesel from our sewage. ODU students are using the nutrient rich sewage to grow algae which conveniently love the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide. They use the natural oils that the algae produce to make bio-diesel. Apparently it is more efficient than traditional agriculturally based bio-fuels.

On the other side of the country, Los Angeles is implementing a project to capture, treat and reuse its sewage as a renewable resource and water supply. The new program could process, treat and provide up to 70 million gallons of fresh water to the LA region a day. With so much sewage going around (we all make it) why not reuse it. Increased interest and research into alternative fuels and water supply ideas will help us cope with the very real challenges of running out of these important  resources and global climate change. Great work ODU and LA. 

And Now the Spills of the Week:

Here's something that takes the idea of "recycle and reuse" to whole a new level. Ecobrique, a revolutionary building material developed by the French company vBc 3000, is a brick that's 2 parts clay one part sewage.

When world class athletes from around the globe gather in Vancouver, British Columbia to participate in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games they will be warmed not only by the "spirit of the Olympic games" but also by sewage!

SI: March 12, 2007On weekends I try to sneak in a few quiet moments to grab a snack, kick back in my La-Z-Boy, and catch up on the world by flipping through a few weekly magazines. Imagine my shock to stumble upon the feature story in last week's Sports Illustrated on...wait for it...global warming!

What were you doing as a sophomore in high school?

Norwegians are proving that every cloud has a silver lining by putting their domestic waste to good use. The city of Oslo is using sewage to heat their homes.

A sewage heat pump plant captures heat from wastewater in Oslo's sewers and uses it to heat water that feeds radiators throughout the city. The system generates enough energy to heat 9,000 apartments for a year.

If you've been wondering lately what the most important medical discovery of the past 167 years is, you're not alone. The British Medical Journal asked its readers to vote on the most important medical milestone since the first issue of the journal was published in 1840. The nominations were narrowed down to 15, with experts writing supporting articles for each discovery.