BHS Students Tour Water Authority

During the week of October 20, the BHS AP Environmental Science Class took a field trip to the Great Lakes Water Authority. Teacher Tracy Francis shared, “The tour of the Waste Water Recovery Facility (WWRF) was an incredible, eye opening experience for students as they saw the nation's largest single site recovery facility handle water from flush to finish and the return of the water to the Detroit River and our Great Lakes.” 

Students toured the pump rooms, mechanical grates, aeration tanks, 1500 degree biosolid incinerators, sludge treatment, secondary clarifiers, the WWRF laboratories and more. Ms. Francis shared, “The smell was incredible and putrid - making it truly unforgettable.”

While there, students were able to address the College Board objectives for sewage treatment and incorporate portions of the objectives related to biogeochemical cycles, pathogens, freshwater biomes and eutrophication. Students also took home knowledge about potential career paths and the GLWA apprenticeship programs.