Max Rome calculates gray water flow rates in an informal settlement with Phillip Ravenscroft, an engineer from South Africa.Courtesy of Lauren Valle
WOODS HOLE — Times are good for John Todd Ecological Design.
The Woods Hole firm, which designs and implements ecological wastewater treatment systems, is currently working on two projects in South Africa and another in Western Massachusetts. It has opened a second office in California and recently hired three staff members.
"It's a good time," founder John H. Todd said. We now are at the point where we are being more selective of what we choose."
Todd founded the business in 1989. The firm's products include "Eco-Machines," which utilize natural organisms such as algae, zooplankton, fungi, shrubs, trees, clams and fish to filter and clean wastewater.
"We employ organisms, life forms, from all kingdoms of life," he said.
The filtered water is often then used for irrigation and agriculture.
His systems, which are designed based on the specific area, have been created and set up in numerous countries, including Scotland, Saudi Arabia, England, Brazil and China.
Two of his recent hires recently visited South Africa to start work on designing treatment systems about 30 miles west of Capetown. The area is a settlement in which sewage runoff is contaminating the nearby Berg River.
"Farmers use river water for irrigation," said Lauren Valle, recently hired as a project coordinator for the company. But the polluted waters mean the farmers can't export their fruit crops.
As is the norm for the Woods Hole firm, it teams up with engineers from other companies and host areas to work on a project.
"That allows us to be creative force, the innovators and the inventors," Todd said.
The company is also working on a project in Lenox. An "Eco-Machine" is being installed at the Eastover Estate and Retreat, a 600-acre sanctuary. The system can treat up to 60,000 gallons of wastewater per day.
All three projects are expected to be completed this year.
Besides the projects, Todd said the recent hires and new California office contribute to what is a "very, very, very" good time for his business.
Valle, who was born and raised in Falmouth, previously worked on a 35-acre organic vegetable and cattle farm in Honesdale, Pa., with a focus on sustainable land management and permaculture. The Columbia University graduate has also worked for several environmental nonprofit organizations.
Max Rome was hired as senior project manager. He has a bachelor's degree in civil engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. At the college, he designed and ran a bioreactor study focusing on reducing sludge generation.
Falmouth resident Richard Sherman was hired as business manager for the company and has a career in business, administration and finance.
Jonathan Todd, the son of the founder, recently moved to California and opened a Westlake, Calif., office for the company.
"California is shifting to more reuse and less and less discharge," John H. Todd said.
Regardless of the upcoming projects, John H. Todd said he will continue with the same approach.
"We are small but I think no matter what happens our business model is to work with and through other companies that are very professional at what they are doing."
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