How Chicago Cleans 1.4 Billion Gallons Of Wastewater Every Day | Deep Cleaned | Insider

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Stickney Water Reclamation Plant near Chicago processes wastewater from 2.3 million residents, removing over 600,000 pounds of sludge daily, which is turned into fertilizer. The facility is one of the largest globally, handling 1.4 billion gallons of wastewater daily and ensuring treated water meets quality standards before release.

Insights

  • Stickney Water Reclamation Plant near Chicago processes sewage from 2.3 million residents, handling 1.4 billion gallons of wastewater daily, which is equivalent to over 2,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
  • The facility removes over 600,000 pounds of sludge daily, repurposing it as biosolids fertilizer, while emphasizing the importance of not flushing items like wipes to prevent blockages and ensuring treated wastewater meets quality standards before release.

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Recent questions

  • What does Stickney Water Reclamation Plant do?

    Processes sewage, removes sludge, produces fertilizer.

  • How much wastewater can Stickney Water Reclamation Plant handle?

    1.4 billion gallons daily, equivalent to 2,000 pools.

  • What happens to flushable wipes at Stickney Plant?

    Cause blockages, challenging to remove, not flushable.

  • Where does the biosolids fertilizer from Stickney Plant go?

    Transported to separate facility for further treatment.

  • What is the purpose of treating wastewater at Stickney Plant?

    Ensure safe release into rivers, meet quality standards.

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Summary

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Stickney Plant: Massive Wastewater Treatment and Fertilizer

  • Stickney Water Reclamation Plant removes over 600,000 pounds of sludge daily, which is used as fertilizer.
  • Located near Chicago, Stickney is one of the largest wastewater-treatment plants globally, processing sewage from 2.3 million residents.
  • The facility can handle 1.4 billion gallons of wastewater daily, equivalent to over 2,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
  • The sewage treatment process involves separating solids for biosolids fertilizer and treating wastewater for safe release into rivers.
  • Flushable wipes should not be flushed as they cause blockages and are challenging to remove.
  • Treated wastewater meets quality standards before being released back into the environment.
  • Biosolids produced are transported to a separate facility for further treatment and drying, eventually becoming fertilizer.
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