Use of an Aquarium and Treatment Plant Scale Model in Public Outreach Expansion at Water Reclamation Facilities

The need for improved and expanded public education and outreach was recognized by the Rock River Water Reclamation District (RRWRD) staff and Board of Trustees. After exploring multiple options, the RRWRD decided to build a museum quality scale model of a treatment facility and a museum quality aquarium representative of the aquatic life in the treatment plant receiving stream. The treatment plant scale model was designed to be interactive to engage and interest younger children. RRWRD has been expanding their mission to educate the public on the necessity of treating wastewater in a process similar to Nature by showing the public the methods employed and how their process helps the environment.