Florida Institute of Technology
High Tech with a Human Touch
The "Atomic Toilet" (1969)
Many of Florida Tech's faculty have done important research in nuclear physics and engineering. Lynn Edward Weaver, our former president, is a widely recognized nuclear engineer.
This small kiosk is all that remains of an early "experiment" using irradiation to treat waste water. Dubbed the "atomic toilet" in 1968, Florida Tech researchers won national recognition for their efforts to devise ways to use radiation in water purification. County officials as well as leaders of Patrick Air Force Base were intrigued with the idea. Supplies of radioactive Cobalt 60 were acquired and tests were run. This underground facility represented the deepest hole ever dug in Brevard County. Despite some success there was, however, little enthusiasm in the community or nation to adopt irradiated sewage water as a source of potable water. The "atomic toilet" experiments ended 25 years ago.