Students visit local Public Utilities facilities

Fourth-graders in Springfield Public Schools, in classes taught by Bob Fink and Jill Moriarity, visited local Public Utilities facilities — the water tower, fresh water treatment plant, power plant and the wastewater treatment plant — Friday.   The students seemed to have the greatest interest in the “Poo Plant,” as they called it, where they had their picture taken at the end of the tour.  They learned that approximately 300,000 gallons of wastewater flow through the plant every day.They learned what happens to the “poo” after flushing the toilet. During their trip through the plant they learned how wastewater recycling is the process of taking effluent (wastewater and sewage) and treating it so that it can be safely discharged into the river.  The students were surprised how crystal clear the water was at the point of discharge.  PUC Superintendent Scott Johnson and worker, Chris Gartner, conducted the tours.