In a blog update, Bill Gates has revealed that the Janicki Omni Processer (JOP), from which he drank a glass of water earlier in the year, is now operating in Dakar. The Omni Processor collects human waste and converts it into safe, reusable byproducts–water, electricity and ash. Gates writes: “It’s tempting to focus on the drinking water, for obvious reasons, but the goal is not to provide water. The goal is to dramatically improve sanitation for all the cities in poor countries.” The technology has advanced and will allow the next version of the machine to burn most types of waste in addition to human waste. It will also be easier to maintain. The company is discussing the sale of the first JOP to a Senegalese company with potential for further sales in wealthier countries.
