Take a closer look at our wastewater treatment process.

1. Water and wastes flowing into the treatment plants first encounter a series of screens, which remove debris, such as small sticks and rags.

2. Next the water arrives at the grit and grease chambers. There, heavy solids, such as sand and grit, along with the grease that may have accidentally escaped from your house are removed so they won't damage treatment pumps.

3. The main part of wastewater treatment occurs in the aeration basin where air is added to the water, thus creating an environment where the bacteria and protozoa can grow and reproduce, feeding on the wastes in the water. Adding the air provides mixing and oxygen for the microorganisms treating the wastewater. With the large amounts of "food" and oxygen present, the reproduction rate of the microorganisms is enormous.

4. In the sedimentation tanks, microorganisms are separated from the liquids. With the solids removed, the final step in treating municipal wastewater is to disinfect the water and kill any remaining bacteria.

5. The water is now clean. It often meets or exceeds federal and state water treatment standards, and is ready to be returned into the environment.