Do you smell something?

Urbana-Champaign Sanitary District Waste Water Treatment Plant

Urbana, IL

On a cold November day, UMS WaterWorks toured the Champaign-Urbana Sanitary District waste water treatment plant. The students learned how the wastewater is collected and treated for disposal in the Salt Fork River. The tour was led by UCSD employee Steve Bickers and included nearly every part of the plant including both the solids and wastewater sides of the plant. A good time was had by all even though the day was cold and the smells were overwhelming at times.

Waste Water

(Left) Raw sewage entering the plant and passing through the trash racks; (Right) Dumping of solids scraped off the trash screens.

(Left) Students learn about a wastewater clarifier; (Right) WaterWorks students pose in front of a large screw pump

(Left) Students learn about using bacteria to treat wastewater; (Right) Mmmmm, Scum bubbles

(Left) Smells fine to me!; (Right) Students pose for a picture in an unfortunate location

(Left) Sprinkling Filter plaque; (Right) Students learn about the filter

(Left) Students learn about pumps several stories underground; (Right) A student learns about using technology to control the plant

(Left) High above Champaign-Urbana, students examine the ammonia towers; (Right) These towers use special filters and bacteria to remove ammonia from the water

Treated effluent is returned to the Salt Fork River.

Solids

(Left) Students have a look at a solids digester; (Right) Solids separate from the liquids

(Left) Belt separator removes the solids from the water; (Right) Solids are dried outside under a large cover and transported to farms for fertilizer once dry