water treatment school tours

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] .

GLWA Facility Tours

Tours are now available for advanced scheduling at our historic Water Works Park (WWP) (drinking water) water treatment facility on the Detroit River or our Water Resource Recovery Facility (WRRF) (sewer) , the largest single-site wastewater treatment plant in the country!

We invite schools, colleges, universities, water professionals, elected officials from our service area, and our member partners to participate in guided educational group tours of 5-40 individuals (large groups will be split in two).

To request a tour, fill out the form at the bottom of this page, at least three weeks in advance of your preferred date, and a GLWA Public Affairs team member will respond within three business days.

Tour Guidelines

Please review our formal guidelines at the link below BEFORE requesting a GLWA facility tour.

Request A Tour

If you are interested in scheduling a tour of our Water Works Park or Water Resource Recovery Facility, please fill out the form below and a GLWA Public Affairs team member will reach out to you within three business days.

• Water Works Park (approximately one hour)
• Water Resource Recovery Facility (approximately two hours)
• 1st Date Choice * Water Works Park tours are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays, April-October. Water Resource Recovery Facility tours are available to book Tuesday through Thursday, April-October. MM slash DD slash YYYY
• 2nd Date Choice * MM slash DD slash YYYY
• Full Name of Organization Requesting Tour *
• Organization City *
• Organization State *
• Elementary School (3rd-6th Grade)
• Middle School (7th-8th Grade)
• High School (9th-12th Grade)
• College or University Group or Class
• Water Sector Professionals
• GLWA Member Partners
• *If Other Organization Type, Please Specify *
• Number of Students *
• Number of Total Attendees (5 to 40) *
• Number of Total Attendees Under 18 Years Old *
• Contact Name * First Last
• Contact Email *
• Contact Phone Number *
• Date MM slash DD slash YYYY

Metro Water Recovery

• Parent of >

Tours of our facilities are a great way to learn about what happens to the water that goes down the drain!

Have you always wanted to learn more about the wastewater treatment process but were afraid to ask? You’re in luck because Metro Water Recovery can help!

Metro invites you to experience the sights and sounds (and smells!) of wastewater treatment. We offer public tours for a variety of groups – including elementary through college-age students, homeschoolers, teachers, science clubs, scouts, senior citizens and more. If you have five or more people, that’s a group tour. Scroll down to make a reservation.

Tour Tuesdays

Tour Tuesdays will resume in 2024! Public tours for individuals and small groups are offered on the second Tuesday of the month, April through October, at 10:30 a.m. See the schedule and locations below. Reservations are required.  

Second Tuesdays: Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility, Denver (high school age and older)  

Second Tuesdays: Northern Treatment Plant, Brighton ( ages 8 and older )  

• September 10

Providing a safe environment for our visitors is a top priority as groups are escorted through the Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility (RWHTF) in Denver and the Northern Treatment Plant (NTP) in Brighton. As a result, there may be areas unavailable for viewing due to construction or maintenance activity. 

On a tour of one of our facilities, you will:

• Learn the basic concepts of how wastewater is treated. 
• Understand how wastewater treatment serves a critical role in the water cycle.  
• Discover how the treatment process protects the water supply for some 2.2 million people in our 805-square-mile service area.
• Observe examples of our commitment to sustainability in our operations whenever and wherever possible. 

Tours at Metro: Essential Information

• A minimum of five is required for (private) group tours. We can accommodate a maximum of 28.  
• Tours for individuals and small groups are offered on the second Tuesday of each month, April through October, at 10:30 am. Reservations are required.
• Tours are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Group tours should be requested a minimum of three weeks in advance.  We host ages 8 and above at the Northern Treatment Plant (Brighton) and due to safety, we can only allow high school age (at least 14 years old) and older at the Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility (Denver).
• Tours last about 90 minutes and require extensive walking outdoors. Tours are not conducted on holidays, weekends (except when dates are determined by Metro), or during evening hours. Tours may be canceled due to inclement weather.
• Metro provides reasonable accommodations for tours (and any other public programs) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request accommodation, contact Amy Lovatt at [email protected] or by calling 720-400-8633.

Contact us to request information or to schedule a tour.

Note: We may photograph or video tours in progress for our own promotional purposes.

Here’s a sneak peek of our tours

1The tour begins at the headworks where untreated wastewater (aka influent) enters the facility. The wastewater goes through bar screens to remove objects ranging from children’s toys to false teeth. Wastewater then passes through grit basins and primary clarifiers to remove solid waste.   

2Next, it’s on to aeration basins where millions of microorganisms digest the organic waste remaining in the water. The wastewater then travels to secondary clarifiers where the microorganisms clump together and settle to the bottom. After further processing in anerobic digesters to kill harmful organisms, these solids will go to enrich Colorado farmland. The methane gas generated from the digestion process is used as fuel to power much of our plant operation. Meanwhile, the water moves on to the disinfection process to kill any remaining pathogens.

3The cleaned water then tumbles over manmade waterfalls called drop structures. This location, called the outfalls, is where the cleaned wastewater (aka effluent) pours into the South Platte River. It’s easy to see the difference between the raw wastewater that came to the facility and the treated water as it leaves. 

4The final stop of the tour takes visitors to the cogeneration building where methane gas from the solid digestion process is used as fuel to make enough electricity to power almost 5,000 homes! 

What Can I Expect During the Tour?  

• All visitors must wear closed toe shoes for safety.  
• No eating or drinking is allowed during the tour. 
• Smoking is NOT allowed anywhere on the plant site. 
• Dress appropriately for weather conditions as all tours take place mostly outdoors.  
• Note that some areas require the use of stairs. 

Metro provides reasonable accommodations for public programs (including tours and meetings) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Visitors requiring such accommodations must contact Kelley Merritt at least 14 days in advance of the requested tour.

Outreach and Tour Options  

Northern Treatment Plant 

Tours available for age 8 and up.

Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility 

Tours available for high school age and up.

Virtual Classroom Option

Bring the wastewater plant to your classroom. Conducted virtually by one of our knowledgeable staff, this 30-minute presentation provides an overview of the treatment process and includes a video and time for live interaction and Q&A. Ideal for grades 3-5.

Contact us for more information on scheduling a tour or virtual classroom session.

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Emergencies.

Drainage (780) 412-4500

Natural Gas 1-800-511-3447 Edmonton

Customer Service

Manage your account online: Log in

Phone (in Alberta only): 310-4300 ​ Toll-Free (outside of Alberta): 1-800-667-2345

Other contact information

Hours of Operation

Monday to Friday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Saturday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sunday & Stat Holidays Closed

Communities

• Chestermere

British Columbia

• French Creek
• Collingwood

Saskatchewan

United states.

• Greater Northwest Houston
• Metropolitan Austin Area

Water And Wastewater Plant Tours

The Information on this Page Applies to:

• Edmonton, Alberta

​Tour a water treatment or wastewater treatment plant to learn more about water treatment and the value of water.  ​​

Water treatment plant tour (public tour).

Learn about the value of water with a 30-45 minute walking tour at one of our Edmonton water treatment plants:  Rossdale or E.L. Smith.

Water tour (Public) ​​

Wastewater treatment plant tour (public tour)

Learn about the wastewater treatment process with a ​90-minute walking tour of the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant  or with a short video tour.

Wastewater Tour (Public)

​Water treatment plant tours (public)

Learn about the value of water with a 30-45 minute walking tour at one of our two water treatment plants in Edmonton: Rossdale or E.L. Smith.

By touring our site-specific infrastructure and processes, you'll learn about the journey water takes before it gets to your home.

For more information, email us at [email protected]​​m .

Request a tour         ​

Wastewater treatment plant tours (public)

Book a tour.

On a 90-minute walking tour of our Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant , you'll learn about:

• Gold Bar's innovative infrastructure
• The different processes involved in wastewater treatment and how water is safely returned to the North Saskatchewan River
• What keeps Gold Bar at the forefront of wastewater treatment technology in North America

Priority will be given to groups from accredited post-secondary institutions that have a focus on wastewater/environmental education.

For more information, email us at [email protected]​m ​ .

Request a tour

​ Please note: All of our plants operate 24/7 so tour capacity is very limited. 

View a video tour

On a walk through of our Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant, you'll learn about:

• The different processes involved in wastewater treatment
• How water is safely returned to the North Saskatchewan River
• The journey water takes before it gets to your home. ​

Our partnership with RiverWatch

RiverWatch helps students explore the North Saskatchewan River. We have a longstanding partnership with RiverWatch to support student learning. Over the past 18 years, more than 50,000 students have toured through our Gold Bar plant as part of the RiverWatch program. In the summer of 2018, Gold Bar was part of RiverWatch's new River Ambassador Program, which brought community members by our plant as part of an on-water learning experience. 

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Resources for Teachers

South Platte Renew supports Pre-K-12 educators with information and resources about the water renewal process that complement the classroom curriculum.  We offer free interactive classroom presentations and virtual tours, as well as educational materials. We offer free field trips to experience the facility, to see our process of renewing water and recovering vital resources from the flow that enters the plant daily.

Do you have an idea for a service project?  We can support that too!

Contact our Education and Outreach Specialist  for more information on our educational opportunities.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to current health concerns regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic, we are not going into the classroom.  If you are interested in having a virtual classroom visit or a tour of our facility through Microsoft Teams or Zoom, please contact our Education and Outreach Specialist to schedule.  We also check out activity kits for teachers to use with their classroom in a socially distancing environment.  Thank you for your understanding and your continued interest.

Field Trips / Tours

We offer free educational field trips for school groups interested in learning more about the water renewal process. Tours can vary from 30 minutes to three hours depending on the tour type. Typical school group tours are 1 hour and 30 minutes. The fieldtrip includes a presentation/video and walking tour of the plant. Participants are required to wear closed toed shoes. Water testing and visits to the South Platte River can be provided upon request for high school student groups. We can accommodate 1 – 25 participants per group.

Register your students for a field trip

Classroom Presentations/ Kits to borrow for your classroom

         Schedule a thirty minute or one hour presentation for your classroom, homeschooling group, or scouting troop and let us bring the learning to you.  Classroom teachers may also check out the kits to use in their classroom as an enrichment activity to lessons.

**NOTE:  Due to COVID-19 concerns, many kits have been adapted to individual student use and can be checked out to the classrooms, then returned for disifection and restocking.  Others, have the ability to accomodate social distancing practices. 

Please let us know how we may assist you in equipping your students and classrooms?

**The Long Haul

Have you ever wondered how people get water to their house when there is not a faucet in the kitchen or bathroom? If you lived in a remote village, how would you get your water? In small villages, children, and sometimes adults go to the public water source (river, stream or lake) and haul water every day for the family to use for cooking, cleaning and drinking. Through this interactive lesson kids (K – 4) can experience hauling the water for their families. The activity can be adapted for any age to include longer treks and added obstacles.

**The Incredible Journey: A Water Cycle Game

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a drop of water?  What would your life be like out in nature?  One day you might be sipped up by a thirsty bear, then left behind for to water a plant, evaporated into the clouds, then precipitated down as snow to become part of a glacier.  In the fast paced activity students will moved from each location collecting beads to build their story.  The student then will share their story through creative storytelling to explain the journey that they took as a water drop.  This activity can be adapted for grades 2 – 6.

**Ancient Toilets

How did the Romans do their business?  What did they use for toilet paper?  Through interactive play we show the kids (K-4) how the Roman toilets worked and explain that thanks to the engineering of these toilets, we have advanced to flushing toilets that we have in our homes.  The activity can be adapted for any age by altering the process results and adding a short discussion on cleaning wastewater.

**Building Water Filters

This hands-on activity allows students to build a basic water filter by repurposing a plastic bottle.  By simply adding cheesecloth, sand, gravel (and charcoal for grades 4 – 6) and a rubberband, students build a filter for dirty water.  We will discuss the importance of cleaning water and the processes used at the Water Renewal Facility.  We will talk about the different type of filters used and have some fun with experimentation.  This activity can be adapted for grades K-6.

We Are The Watershed

What is a watershed?  Learn about head waters, tributaries, estuaries and how they all are important to our many watersheds.  How do seasons and weather affect the flow in the watershed?  Through this fast paced activity, students will “act out” the flow during storms/droughts and seasons to show the differences, then discuss how this impacts conservation and water usage.  We also discuss the value of conservation even in wetter years.  This is an activity that can be adapted for grades 2 – 5, or even older students as an icebreaker in conjunction with a presentation.

**Who Polluted the South Platte River?

Have you ever thought what your personal impact is on the river? Through this interactive lesson we will have the kids help us pollute the river by taking on the role of different contributors. They may be an animal, business owner or a citizen recreating. Many other options are available. This activity will enlighten students (K – 5) of their impact on our river, and how to be a better stewards through collaborative care of our environment.

More kits to come

If you know of an activity or theme that you would like to see, please contact our Education and Outreach Specialist  to discuss possibilities of creating the activity. 

River/Waterway Sampling

Is your school near a safe to access water source? River, stream, creek, pond, other? Through water sampling, students (grades 3 – 5) learn about Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity and Ph of the water around them. We discuss how climate and human factors can impact the results. Also, students will brainstorm and discuss the effects of these results on the animal and plant life.

Likewise, if the students are in high school, we can come to a water source near your school, or you can visit us at the South Platte for river sampling. We will complete the same tests of the water to determine Temperature, Dissolved Oxygen, Turbidity and pH. Included in this experience, we will attempt to capture and identify a variety of macroinvertebrates.

Education Materials

Worksheets/Activity Sheets

We provide a variety of worksheets for students, to add to the classroom, homeschooling, remote learning and just for fun!  More added regularly.

• Water Math Addition (early elementary)
• Water Math Subtraction (early elementary)
• Water Math Multiplication (mid elementary)
• Words on Water wordsearch (elementary, middle school)
• Renewal Process wordsearch (middle school, high school)
• What goes where (elementary, middle school)
• Water Word Scramble for Upper Elementary (upper elementary)
• Water Word Scramble for Early Elementary (early elementary)
• Water Renewal Crossword Puzzle (upper elementary, middle school)
• SPR Virtual Tour Worksheet (middle school, high school)
• SPR Website Water Cycle Video Worksheet (upper elementary, middle school)

Virtual Plant Tour

Let us bring the Plant to you! We have a PowerPoint presentation of the entire process from influent to effluent. This tour will allow students of all ages to experience the entire Plant without leaving the classroom. We will discuss each stage of the process and answer questions as we go along. By doing the virtual tour, it allows the students to see inside buildings that we are not able to share during a walking tour, for safety reasons. With our virtual tours, we bring samples from the stages of the process, so the students can see how the wastewater is cleaned and the vital resources are recovered.

Additional Links

Forests to faucets teacher resources, project wet, epa office of water, epa environmental education, epa environmental kids club, usgs water science school, usgs the water cycle, water environment federation students and teachers k-12, h2ouse water saver home, colorado state university water knowledge, water for people.

Community Events

South Platte Renew hosts several major community events annually, where community members are invited to visit our facility and learn about the water renewal process. We also partner with the Cities of Englewood and Littleton at their events to educate the community on the water renewal process.

Water Renewal Process

At South Platte Renew we use a biological treatment process that harnesses the natural power of native bacteria to sustainably clean and renew water using the least amount of chemicals and energy.

Updates and News

Get updates and information about South Platte Renew. Learn about the challenges affecting the water renewal process, how we are taking water knowledge into the community and the classroom and how you can be a steward of the South Platte River.

Signup for News & Updates from South Platte Renew

Get tips on water conservation and stay up to date on the latest updates.

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Tour the Joint Water Commission (JWC) Water Treatment Plant in Forest Grove, Oregon! Learn more about where our water comes from, the water treatment process, and how water gets delivered to your tap.

In-person tours focus on the following topics:

• JWC partners
• Water sources
• Drinking water treatment process 
• Storage of drinking water
• Transmission of drinking water to partners 

In-person tours are available for groups of 10 to 30 people:

• Individuals, families, and small community groups 
• 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

Take a virtual tour !

Register for an In-Person Tour

Tour dates and times vary based on staff availability.  Sign up for a JWC Water Treatment Plant tour two to four weeks in advance using the form below. The JWC reserves the right to cancel tours in the event of a plant emergency or inclement weather.

• Name * First Last
• Email or Phone *
• Tour Type * Individuals Families Small Community Groups Home School Groups Scout Troops Non-School Affiliated Groups of Children (over 9 years old) University Classes Professional Groups Larger Community Groups Other
• Number of People * 1-10 11-20 21-30
• Tour: Option 1 Date *
• Tour: Option 1 Timeframe *
• Tour: Option 2 Date *
• Tour: Option 2 Timeframe *
• Tour: Option 3 Date *
• Tour: Option 3 Timeframe *
• Additional Information about the Tour Group (Needs, Requests, etc.) *
• Call 503-615-6702
• Email the JWC 
• Visit or send mail to 150 E. Main Street, Third Floor, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123

ILEAD EXPLORATION REMAINS OPEN VIRTUALLY FOR LEARNERS

iLEAD Exploration continues to operate its independent study model in an entirely virtual format.

Resources for up-to-date information     •     COVID-19 Safety Plan and Prevention Program

Resources for up-to-date information

COVID-19 Safety Plan and Prevention Program

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Hyperion Water Treatment Plant Field Trip

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Upcoming Field Studies Opportunities

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, May 16 at 12:30-3:00 PM: Learners five years and up are welcome to come learn and have fun at the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood….

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Astrocamp is an exciting three-day and two-night program designed for learners in grades 7-9. This outdoor science camp provides: Astronomy and physical science labs Field exercises Team-building activities led by…

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Tours for high school aged students.

Educators are encouraged to schedule a presentation (either Filter Build or Where Does Our Water Come From ) as an introduction to the Denver Water organization and purpose before participating in a tour. 

Tours are currently available at Marston Treatment Plant (near Sheridan Boulevard and Quincy Avenue).

Tour requests are handled on a case-by-case basis under the following guidelines:

• Requests must be submitted a minimum of two weeks prior to the desired tour date.
• Tour start times are between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and are subject to review and approval.
• Tours are offered to groups of 15 to 30 participants.
• All tour participants will be required to provide a signed liability waiver prior to arriving for the tour.
• Tours will be suspended and/or canceled immediately in the event of safety or security concerns at the facility.

Please fill out our online form (minimum two-week advance notice).

Schedule Tour

If you have questions, feel free to call us at 303-219-0567 , or send an email inquiry to [email protected] .

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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Water Treatment Certificate

Certificate in water treatment technology.

Earn your certificate in Water Treatment Technology through American Water College. This program is a one year online certificate program. Students complete the program by watching online lectures, reading assigned texts, and submitting assignments online.

Who it’s for:

American Water College’s Certificate in Water Treatment Technology Program is designed for:

This certificate program is made up of the following 5 classes:

• Water Sources
• Introduction to Water Treatment
• Advanced Water Treatment
• Water Treatment Math
• Applied Chemistry

How it Works:

Each class is made up of a series of lessons, and each lesson includes:

• Online video lecture
• Reading assignment
• Written assignment
• Supplemental materials for students who want to go deeper into the subject matter, or need additional information.

The online format allows you to schedule your studies around other commitments.

American Water College’s Certificate in Water Treatment Technology Program will:

• Prepare you for a career as a water industry professional.
• Give you the knowledge required to pass state certification exams, and more importantly to provide the public with a reliable and safe water supply.
• Allow you to skip the entry level certification exam and become certified at a higher level.
• Distinguish you from other job applicants by showing a commitment to learning about the water treatment process.

Total Program Costs:

Because affordability is important to us, tuition is only $1,495.

You will also need the textbooks linked 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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Data centers are hungry, thirsty and growing. What’s that mean for California’s energy future?

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Good morning. It’s Tuesday, Aug. 13 . Here’s what you need to know to start your day.

• How the data center boom is straining resources.
• A magnitude 4.4 earthquake rattled Southern California.
• The ultimate Norton Simon guide: 22 essential artworks from the underrated museum.
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How the data center boom is straining resources

When we search Google, stream a movie or shop online, the computing power necessary to accomplish those internet-based tasks probably isn’t front of mind.

But all our digital actions require massive warehouses full of servers to process and store an ever-expanding universe of data. More of these large data centers are being proposed and built across the Golden State.

The Times’ Melody Petersen reported this week that concerns are mounting that data centers are gobbling up electricity at an unsustainable rate, putting California in a precarious power position and threatening to derail ambitious clean energy goals.

“Experts warn that the frenzy of data center construction could delay California’s transition away from fossil fuels and raise electric bills for everyone else,” Melody wrote. “The data centers’ insatiable appetite for electricity, they say, also increases the risk of blackouts.”

The advent of generative AI is of particular concern to energy experts, because the chips required to sift through vast amounts of data and produce responses use a lot more electricity than a typical chip.

For instance, a search with ChatGPT consumes 10 times the power as a Google search without artificial intelligence, according to the International Energy Agency.

Data centers siphon a lot of power (and water)

There are more than 270 data centers in California , with the heaviest concentrations in Santa Clara and Los Angeles counties.

Keeping those facilities running requires an increasing amount of power, which some energy researchers and utility officials warn is putting additional strain on a grid that doesn’t inspire much confidence on its own.

Melody cited an analysis by the nonprofit GridClue, which ranked California 49th of the 50 states for energy resilience: “the ability to avoid blackouts by having more electricity available than homes and businesses need at peak hours.”

And as your thighs might know from running a lot of apps and programs on your laptop, computing generates heat. Massive warehouses full of servers produce a lot of heat, meaning more energy and water are needed to keep those facilities cool.

For example, the Oregonian reported last year that Google’s data centers in the Dalles, Ore., accounted for more than a quarter of the city’s water use .

Since California’s water supply is already projected to shrink in the coming decades because of climate change, opening more data centers that require more of that key resource does not bode well.

“I’m just surprised that the state isn’t tracking this, with so much attention on power and water use here in California,” Shaolei Ren, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at UC Riverside, told Melody.

More data centers are coming online

As investments in AI technologies increase, so does the construction of more data centers to continue feeding and training the data- and power-hungry systems.

Pacific Gas & Electric told investors this year that it has received more than two dozen applications for new data centers, which would use 3.5 gigawatts of power in total. That’s the output of three new nuclear reactors, Melody said, enough to power nearly 5 million homes.

And it’s not just in California; facilities are being developed across the nation and around the world.

To power this hungry tech that’s framed by proponents as a leap into the future, some regions are turning to old energy sources, like coal . Some major AI industry players have suggested a resurgence of nuclear power to help keep their lights on and their chips cool.

Given the concerns about worsening our already strained grid and undermining state goals to use energy more sustainably and responsibly, why aren’t people in power pumping the brakes on more data centers?

As shocking as it may seem, it comes down to money, as Melody explained:

“Today’s stock market rewards companies that say they are investing in AI. Electric utilities profit as power use rises. And local governments benefit from the property taxes paid by data centers.”

You can read more of Melody’s reporting here .

Today’s top stories

• A Magnitude 4.4 earthquake rattled Los Angeles , and was felt over wide area.
• The earthquake was centered on notorious L.A. fault system
• The modest quake packed a punch : “It felt like a truck hit the building.”
• Watch Malika Andrews stay calm on-air while the quake shook ESPN’s L.A. studios.
• Here’s How to get California’s early warning earthquake alerts.

On the campaign trail

• Tim Walz will kick off a solo campaign tour in L.A.
• JD Vance and the politics of vegetarianism in a red-meat Republican Party.
• Trump’s rally music is appropriate for all the wrong reasons.
• Kamala Harris raised $13 million at an event San Francisco that felt more like a family reunion
• ‘Mercenary group’ with ex-L.A. County deputies hired in extortion scheme, feds allege .
• 6 California police officers paid someone to take college courses for them . Now they face prison

First day of school

• Smiles, ‘butterflies’ and a little boy cries ‘I want my mom.’ Yesterday was LAUSD’s first day of school
• Here’s what 9 teens wore on the first day of school in L.A. “First impressions are everything,” one told us.
• Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine are going to open a high school in Inglewood as the district faces school closures

L.A. Olympics 2028

• Long Beach — no, not Venice — starred in the Olympics closing ceremony with Snoop, Dr. Dre, Billie Eilish
• Here’s how to purchase tickets for 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
• LA28 touted an ‘authentically Los Angeles’ Olympics as it took the handoff from Paris.
• ‘The clock is ticking.’ The Olympic flag arrived in L.A. and LA28 gets to work .
• L.A. is too ugly now to host the Olympics. Here’s how we can fix it before 2028 .

More big stories

• This is now California’s worst summer COVID wave in years. Here’s why .
• Musk says ‘massive’ attack by hackers has caused glitches in interview with Trump .
• L.A. city attorney is searching through employee emails , creating a climate of fear, staffer alleges.

Get unlimited access to the Los Angeles Times. Subscribe here .

Commentary and opinions

• Anita Chabria : Is Trump’s hate finally catching up to him?
• Patt Morrison: Where did L.A. radio and TV station call letters come from? And why do they all start with K ?
• Dylan Hernandez : For Dodgers, every game is feeling like a postseason game .
• Lorraine Ali : When Trump’s rally music is appropriate for all the wrong reasons.
• Editorial board : A ransomware attack closed L.A. courts for two days . The public deserves a full accounting.

Today’s great reads

In L.A.’s tough housing market, cramped family adds ADU rather than move . A tiny bungalow in Los Angeles nearly doubles in size thanks to a modern addition and ADU. When the homeowners looked to move, the real estate market was unaffordable.

Other great reads

• The superpower Maya Erskine found while starring in ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith.’
• Making period dramas can be uncomfortable. For Carrie Coon, ‘Gilded Age’ is the exception.

How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to [email protected] .

For your downtime

• 🖼️ The ultimate Norton Simon guide: 22 essential artworks at one of SoCal’s underappreciated museums.
• 🍨 This restaurant’s cold, creamy tofu is the only thing I want to eat right now.
• 🥟 Bar Sinizki, an Atwater Village bar, captures Eastern European cafe culture , complete with a family recipe for pierogis.
• 📻 On ‘Funeral Soundtrack #4,’ Destroy Boys show signs they’re really just starting to live.
• 📺 ‘The Bachelor’ has announced its new lead.
• 📖 ‘Under the Bridge’ writer Rebecca Godfrey died while writing her new novel. Her friend Leslie Jamison finished it .
• 🧑‍🍳 Here’s a recipe for Chickpea frittata with tomatoes and kale .
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Show us your favorite place in California! We’re running low on submissions. Send us photos that scream California and we may feature them in an edition of Essential California.

Today’s great photo is from staff photographer Allen J. Schaben of a hang glider at Dockweiler State Beach.

Have a great day, from the Essential California team

Ryan Fonseca, reporter Defne Karabatur, fellow Andrew Campa, Sunday reporter Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor and Saturday reporter Christian Orozco, assistant editor Stephanie Chavez, deputy metro editor Karim Doumar, head of newsletters

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Ryan Fonseca writes the Los Angeles Times’ Essential California newsletter. A lifelong SoCal native, he has worked in a diverse mix of newsrooms across L.A. County, including radio, documentary, print and television outlets. Most recently, he was an associate editor for LAist.com and KPCC-FM (89.3) public radio, covering transportation and mobility. He returns to The Times after previously working as an assistant web editor for Times Community News, where he helped manage the websites and social media presence of the Burbank Leader, Glendale News-Press and La Cañada Valley Sun. Fonseca studied journalism at Cal State Northridge, where he now teaches the next generation of journalists to develop their voice and digital skills.

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Local News and Opinion for San Diego

Construction of Long-Awaited Beyer Park in San Ysidro Begins with Completion Expected by 2026

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Construction on the long-awaited Beyer Park in San Ysidro kicks off this week, with a goal of completing the eight-acre park by spring 2026, officials announced Tuesday.

Phase 1 of the project, slated for a 43-acre undeveloped site, is receiving funding through several sources, including Mayor Todd Gloria’s Parks for All of Us initiative.

“Beyer Park will be the first new public park in San Ysidro in over 25 years and serves as an example of our commitment to providing every San Diegan with access to high-quality recreational spaces,” Gloria said.

“It’s also an example of why partnerships matter, and I’m grateful to the California Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program and funds secured by [ Rep. Juan Vargas, D-San Diego ], which together provided the millions of dollars in funding to make this vision a reality.”

San Ysidro residents have waited decades for a park in the location, with an unimproved 6.78-acre site designated for future park development in a 1974 community plan. Both the 1990 and 2016 San Ysidro Community plans reiterated calls to build Beyer Park along East Beyer Boulevard.

“My top priority is to ensure residents of District 8 have the amenities that provide for a high quality of life, like parks and libraries,” said Councilwoman Vivian Moreno, whose district includes San Ysidro.

“For over 30 years, City Hall has promised to build Beyer Park for the residents of San Ysidro. Unfortunately, past city leaders failed to keep that promise. I am proud to have worked closely with community members, particularly San Ysidro youth, to finally build Beyer Park and deliver residents with the park space they deserve.”

When complete, the park will have a children’s playground area, ball fields, picnic areas, restrooms, a dog park, skate park, walking trails and public art, according to city documents.

Through San Diego’s Commission for Arts and Culture , artists Ingram Ober and Marisol Rendón created an art piece for Beyer Park, titled “Air Sanctuary.” The artwork consists of a “singular ironwood tree that will grow within a sculptural enclosure that relates visually to the growth of the tree and that also creates a charismatic space to contemplate the living processes of a tree,” a city statement reads.

Visitors to the park will be able to watch the tree grow and change with the seasons.

Through Parks for All of Us, Beyer Park received $1 million from the Citywide Park Development Impact Fee in March 2024. The project also received an allocation of $2.5 million in Community Development Block Grant funding in fiscal year 2023, along with $8.5 million in funding from the state’s Park Development and Community Revitalization Grant Program.

For Phase 2 of the project, the federal government in 2022 gave a $5 million grant from a program that aims to create more green space and outdoor recreation options in underserved areas.

The total project cost is around $22.4 million.

“Construction for the new Beyer Park has been a long time in coming and is exciting to see come to fruition,” said Andy Field, director of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. “We thank our numerous partners, including the San Ysidro community, youth, numerous nonprofit organizations, and federal and state levels of government, in helping fund and build this much- needed park.

“It’s important that all San Diegans have equitable access to park and recreation resources and this brings us one step closer to ensuring that more parks are available to more people across our city,” he added.