tour water treatment plant

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Treatment plant tours

Learn how wastewater can be recycled into reusable water, energy, and nutrients for plants and soil. Tours encourage visitors to think about responsible water use, the products they use, and how everyday choices can help protect our water.

General public treatment plant tours

Wastewater tours focus on the following topics:.

• Water cycle and nutrient cycle
• Wastewater treatment and human health
• Human impacts to water systems
• Pollution prevention and water conservation

Individuals, families, and small community groups

Individuals, families, and community groups of fewer than 10 people should register for an upcoming community treatment plant tour. Visit the events page for a list of upcoming community tour opportunities and information about registration.

This is also the best option for home school groups, scout troops, and other non-school-affiliated groups of children ages nine and over.

University classes, professional groups, and larger community groups

Tours are available for groups of 10–25 people. Dates and times vary based on staff availability.

Sign up for a Brightwater or South Plant tour here

Tours of Carnation, Vashon, and West Point are limited . Please email us directly to request a tour.

• South Plant, Vashon, or West Point contact [email protected]
• Brightwater or Carnation contact [email protected]

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K-12 education programs, internships and career exploration, education resources, how to protect our water.

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Published 3/27/2024 at 10 a.m. Updated 3/27/2024 at 5 p.m.

Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Tours

Updated: Aug 10, 2023

Tour Safety

Our treatment facilities are industrial sites operating 24-hours a day, seven days a week.  Sturdy closed shoes, socks and long pants are required for both your safety and comfort.  No flip-flops, sandals, clogs, open toed shoes, shorts, or skirts are allowed.  Details are covered in the Tour Guidelines. Please be advised that due to security issues, we reserve the right to refuse anyone from taking part in a tour.  We also reserve the right to cancel tours in the event of a plant or City emergency or inclement weather.  Tours are not available on weekends or on City recognized holidays. While some tours involve quite a bit of walking, climbing stairs, in tight hallways and tunnels, we can change the route to accommodate wheel chairs, canes, and walkers.  We ask that all participants are 10 years or older, and we can only accommodate groups of 20 or less.  

Tour Forms and Online Request

Thank you for your interest in touring Raleigh Water's water or wastewater treatment plants.  We offer plant tours to City of Raleigh utility customers and university groups, but we cannot accommodate groups from outside our service area.  Please allow two weeks advance notice of your requested tour date to accommodate plant staff notification and proper scheduling at our facilities. We look forward to providing you with an interesting, informative and worthwhile experience.  

Please note that our Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility and E.M. Johnson Water Treatment Plant are not available for tours at this time due to heavy construction occurring at these sites.

• Review Plant Tour Guidelines
• Plant Tour Request Form
• Day of the tour -  Bring completed Release of Liability Forms from all attendees (required)

Attendee List

Edward Buchan 919-996-3471 [email protected]

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This feedback is reviewed monthly to help us improve our site. For immediate customer service please refer to our staff directory .

• Business center
• Wastewater treatment plant tours
• Collection and treatment

EBMUD's Treatment Plant treats sewage to meet stringent state and federal standards before recycling it or releasing it to the Bay. Get to Know EBMUD's Wastewater Treatment Plant!

Have you ever wondered about what happens to dirty water after it goes down the drain or is flushed down the toilet? EBMUD offers three options to learn more about how wastewater treatment protects public health and the San Francisco Bay:

• Online virtual tour
• Live-guided virtual tour
• In-person tour

1. Online Virtual Tour

The online virtual tour “From your tap to the San Francisco Bay” is EBMUD’s newest online educational resource. The tour features a variety of engaging videos and interactive maps to help audiences of all levels learn about EBMUD’s Main Wastewater Treatment Plant.

2. Live-Guided Virtual Tour

The live-guided virtual tour is a one-hour, interactive PowerPoint presentation conducted over Zoom with an EBMUD staff member. This tour covers a range of topics, including types of wastewater, contaminants, pollution prevention, history of wastewater treatment, wastewater treatment fundamentals, and beneficial reuse. The tour is strategically designed for non-technical audiences around the high-school level; however, it can be customized as needed for special tour requests, e.g. younger audiences, graduate-level, etc.

Wednesday April 3, 2024: 6:00pm-7:00pm

Submit a  Group Tour Request Form  to schedule a virtual tour for your school, work, or community group. Reservation priority is given to schools in EBMUD's wastewater service area.

3. In-Person Tour

Visitors must be over 10 years old.

The in-person tour is led by an EBMUD staff member at the Main Wastewater Treatment Plant and is approximately 1.5 hours. Chaperones are required for children and all attendees must be over 10 years old. Individual safety waivers are required. Safety is EBMUD’s top priority, as the treatment plant is an active, fully operational plant with heavy truck traffic. This tour involves walking up and down narrow stairways, walking over uneven ground, and potentially being exposed to strong odors and birds.

To schedule an in-person tour for your school, work, or community group:

Submit a Group Tour Request Form 

Reservation priority is given to schools in EBMUD's wastewater service area.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Facility tours.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago facilities are open for tours! In-person tours are scheduled by appointment only at our seven water reclamation plants (WRPs) throughout Cook County. 

We also offer free virtual tours of the Chicago area’s water history and infrastructure.

Facility tours can accommodate 10–30 people, from children in fifth grade up to adults. Tours must be scheduled at least 30 days in advance to allow time for processing waivers, IDs and security checks. The availability of in-person tours is subject to change at any time based on public health reports and our operational needs.

Request a tour

Tour Locations

Calumet W RP    Tuesdays at 9 a.m.   Duration: 2 hours

John E. Egan WRP    Thursdays at 9:30 a.m.   Duration: 2 hours

Hanover Park WRP    Tuesdays at 10 a.m.   Duration: 1 hour

James C. Kirie WRP    Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.   Duration: 1.5 hours

Lemont WRP    Wednesdays at 10 a.m.   Duration: 1 hour

Terrence J. O’Brien WRP    Tuesdays at 9 a.m.   Duration: 2 hours

Stickney WRP    Thursdays at 10 a.m.   Duration: 2.5 hours

TARP Mainstream Pumping Station (“Deep Tunnel”)   Thursdays at 10 a.m.   Duration: 2 hours

All adults must supply a clear copy of their state-issued ID or passport for a security check. 

We collect signed waivers from every visitor, regardless of age, for minors and adults.

Our walking tours occur in the rain or shine, so please dress for the weather. 

Additionally, you will visit an industrial working environment, so long pants and sturdy shoes are required.

For more information, please contact  [email protected] .

Programs & Initiatives

Digester Egg Tours

Tour Dates & Registration

We host tours of the Digester Eggs at the Newtown Creek Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility three times a year: in February, April, and October. These tours are free to the public—ages 12 and above; however, advance registration is required. We hope to see you there!

These popular tours fill up quickly, so please mark your calendar so that you don't miss out on this opportunity!

We host tours of the Digester Eggs at the Newtown Creek Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility three times a year: in February, April, and October. The October tour, which is hosted by Open House NY (OHNY) during their OHNY Weekend, will take place on Saturday, October 12, 2020.

Tour times will be at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm. Tours are free to the public—ages 12 and above; however, advance registration is required because space is limited. Registration for the October tour will begin on October 8 at 11am on the OHNY website .

We host tours of the Digester Eggs at the Newtown Creek Wastewater Resource Recovery Facility three times a year: in February, April, and October. The Valentine’s tour will take place on Saturday, February 8, 2020 in celebration of Valentine’s Day. Registration will open during the last week of January.

Tours are free to the public— ages 12 and above —however, advance registration is required.

What to Expect

The Digester Egg Tour starts with an overview of the wastewater treatment process—an essential part of protecting public health and New York City’s waterways. After, we treat guests to unobstructed views of the Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens skylines from the observation deck, a glass-enclosed walkway built atop our state-of-the art digester eggs. Newtown Creek Digester Eggs . -->

The Digester Egg Tour starts at the Visitor Center at Newtown Creek, located in Brooklyn’s Greenpoint neighborhood. We are easy to spot—just look for the bright orange building. The entrance is near the intersection of Greenpoint Avenue and Humboldt Street at 329 Greenpoint Avenue Brooklyn, NY 11222 .

The Visitor’s Center at Newtown Creek: Special Note for School Groups

The Visitor Center at Newtown Creek offers education programs for pre-Kindergarten through 12 th grade students, undergraduate and graduate classes, and educators by appointment. Visit our Visitor Center at Newtown Creek webpage to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register?

We give public tours of the Digester Eggs three times a year: in February; April, and October. Registration opens for the February and April tours on our website approximately two weeks prior to the announced tour dates. All registration is on a first come first served basis. The October tour is hosted by Open House New York (OHNY). Information for this tour can be found on the OHNY website .

Are tours free?

All tours are free to the public, ages 12 and older.

How long is the tour?

The tour takes about an hour and a half. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the tour time.

Can I take photos or video during the tour?

Still photography is allowed, but taking video is prohibited.

What should I wear?

All attendees are required to wear closed-toe, flat-soled shoes. We reserve the right to deny participation in the tour if improper footwear is worn.

Can I get there via subway?

Take the G train to Greenpoint Ave and use the exit marked Greenpoint/Manhattan Ave. Walk east along Greenpoint Ave; McDonald’s will be on your left. Cross McGuinnes Blvd and continue on Greenpoint Ave one block past Provost St. You will see the bright orange two-story Visitor Center building ahead.

Will I need to sign a visitor release form?

Yes, all guests will be required to sign a visitor release form at the beginning of the tour. Children under the age of 18 must have a release form signed by a parent or guardian. Sorry, children under 12 are not allowed.

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Virtual tour: potable water treatment.

Have you ever wondered how your water makes it from the mountains to that glass of water in your hand? Or how we treat your water before it comes out of the tap?

View a quick animated tour of our potable water treatment process, and learn about your water system.

Want a deeper understanding? Denver Water encourages citizens to take a real-life tour . See our article on TAP: Ugh! Our water comes from there? How I helped a friend gain clarity about water quality with a Denver Water treatment plant tour .

DC Water's Visitor Center at Blue Plains, a 30,000 square-foot environmentally friendly building, is the first stop for the more than 1,000 visitors who tour the plant each year. It houses an educational classroom, security, the Office of Marketing and Communications' community outreach team and a warehouse. The modern design incorporates recycled materials, plant life and a large wall display that explains water and wastewater collection and treatment processes.   The Visitor Center was built to LEED Silver certification standards and serves as a model for stormwater runoff reduction and energy efficiency.   Green features:  

• Green roof, vegetative swales and pervious pavement for stormwater runoff reduction 
• Skylights, LED lighting, and a solar array roof for energy efficiency 
• Low flow plumbing 
• Building materials with high recycled and recyclable content 
• All wood products made from FSC Certified lumber 
• Construction waste management: 88.3% of waste diverted from landfills
• Indoor air quality management 
• Recycled content of the composite and metal panels 
• Sustainable furniture 
• Bicycle storage and changing rooms to accommodate bicycle commuters 

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Tours and Presentations

Our staff is available for presentations and tours for students, scouts, and community groups. These tours and presentations are a great way for your group to learn more about the water we serve or to complement your organization’s watershed protection efforts. We will do our best to customize a presentation or tour to meet the needs of your students or group.

To schedule a tour or request more information click here and select "Tours" in the drop down menu.

You can also send an email or call:

Griffith Water Treatment Plant Tour

Corbalis Water Treatment Plant Tour

Corbalis Water Treatment Plant Lab Tour

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Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority

A facility tour is a great way for students, or other groups, to learn more about where our water comes from, the water treatment process, and how water gets delivered to the consumer. Group tours are offered Tuesday through Friday between 8:00am-3:00 pm for ages 10 and up. We can accommodate groups with up to 30 people. All tours must be coordinated and scheduled in advance.

To schedule a tour at one of our water treatment plants, please call 770-514-5300.

Wyckoff Water Treatment Plant

Our Wyckoff Water Treatment Plant is located in west Cobb. The plant features not only conventional water treatment but also an advanced treatment step using Granular Activated Carbon (GAC). Wyckoff’s GAC facility is one of the largest GAC facilities in the United States. Interested in learning more about the water treatment process? View the virtual tour of our Wyckoff Water Treatment Plant . 

Quarles Water Treatment Plant

Our Quarles Water Treatment Plant is located in east Cobb. The Quarles campus contains two separate conventional water treatment plants, one of which is under construction and expected to be completed by September 2020. For more information about the Quarles Plant 1 Replacement Project, click here .

Notice:  CCMWA does not give individual plant tours and reserves the right to approve or deny all tours.   

Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority

What can we help you find?

Tour our water treatment plant.

We are providing a private, pre-scheduled tours of the Water Treatment Plan at this time. To inquire about tours, please contact us .

Touring the Aspinwall Water Treatment Plant is a unique experience for a school field trip, a research project, or an educational outing. You will learn about the source of your drinking water, the treatment process, and how it's distributed to taps throughout Pittsburgh. 

What to Know

• Tours are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM
• Visitors must be at least 14 years old
• Visitors (or their legal guardian) must sign a waiver before the tour
• Those touring the Water Treatment Plant must wear sturdy, close-toed shoes
• Since the walking tour is mostly outside, dress appropriately for the weather (winter coat, raincoat, sunscreen, sunglasses, etc.) 
• Tours are given rain or shine, unless severe weather occurs
• Attendees will walk over one mile (on flat ground) and climb several sets of stairs during the tour
• Maximum group size for a tour: 15. 

Aspinwall Water Treatment Plant 900 Freeport Road* Pittsburgh, PA 15238 *make sure not to confuse with Freeport Rd. Brackenridge, PA 15104 Treatment Plant is across from Waterworks Plaza in Aspinwall.

Tour Guidelines and Waiver

• Water Treatment Plant Tour Guidelines and Requirements
• Water Treatment Plant Tour Waiver

Water Treatment Plant Tour Request Form

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Take a Tour

Breadcrumbs, educational lobby tour.

AlexRenew’s Environmental Center lobby features interactive exhibits that illustrate how AlexRenew treats sewage for the City of Alexandria, and how we recover resources from the water we clean. Please contact [email protected] to inquire about exploring our educational lobby (open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Self-Guided Four Mile Run Pump Station 

Located next to Cora Kelly School is our Four Mile Run Pump Station – an essential component of helping wastewater get to our wastewater treatment plant. On the fence surrounding the pump station is an educational exhibit that discusses how wastewater is transported from your home or business to AlexRenew and how we clean recover resources from cleaning wastewater. 

3650 Commonwealth Ave., Alexandria VA 22305

Waterways Bicycle Tour

Watch or pedal your way through this guided bike tour of AlexRenew’s off-campus infrastructure! Follow the path of water as it leaves your home or business and makes its way to our wastewater treatment facility.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Tours

(available for water and wastewater industry groups).

While we build the RiverRenew Tunnel Project on our wastewater treatment facility, we’ve suspended tours for the public. To take a virtual tour of our wastewater treatment plant, check out the video below.

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On tour! Safety rules for visiting the water treatment plant

Whether you’re looking for an educational fieldtrip activity with kids or an interesting date idea, a wastewater treatment plant tour is a unique (and fun!) thing to do in Madison, Wisconsin.

As the weather gets warmer, more groups of people arrive at the District, trailing tour guides around the plant – some of them holding their noses. In a typical year, 1,000 to 2,000 visitors come through the plant! Groups include K-12 students, college students, professional associations, business groups, summer camps, elected officials, wastewater engineers and even families, to name a few.

During 2020 and 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic put a hold on our in-person tours. But now, we’ve opened back up for small group tours and First Friday tours . The virtual tours page of our site also remains highly popular – take a look around !

First Friday tours are about one hour long and are held the first Friday of every month at noon (excluding holidays.) Small group tours at the District last about an hour and a half and are generally held Monday through Friday during the day. The best part? Our tours are free to any member of the community! As long as each visitor follows the rules…

Do’s and do not’s for visitors

The treatment plant is a working facility. The tour route includes stairs and uneven surfaces and passes by operating machinery. Safe behavior and PPE help prevent the chance of injury and illness – we take everyone’s safety very seriously.

So, let’s start with the DO’s:

• DO wear closed-toe, flat-soled shoes.
• DO dress for the weather, since much of the tour is outside and will be held rain or shine.
• DO have a responsible adult as a chaperone for minors to ensure safe and respectful behavior.
• DO appoint a primary chaperone to wear a reflective vest and act as the caboose of the group.
• DO walk safely and stay together with the tour guide at all times.
• DO listen while the tour guide is talking and follow all instructions from the guide.
• DO pay attention to your surroundings and stand back from fences and barriers. Be aware of vehicles, forklifts and moving machinery.
• DO wash your hands after visiting the plant, especially before eating.

And here are a few DO NOT’s:

• DO NOT wear sandals, flip-flops or open-toe footwear.
• DO NOT run or engage in horseplay at the plant.
• DO NOT touch items, machinery or equipment on the tour. Don’t sit, lean or climb on fences or machines.
• DO NOT worry about personal protective equipment (PPE) – like safety vests or hard hats. The District provides the necessary gear for primary chaperones or for the entire group if your group is visiting specialized areas of the plant that are not part of the standard tour route.

If anyone in the group decides to be unsafe or disrespectful, our tour guides will stop the tour. Don’t be the one that ruins it for everyone else!

To schedule a tour or to learn more about seeing wastewater treatment in action, visit our Tours page.

Article written by Amy Steger

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