September 14, 2018 - For people who have always wanted to know how Fort Wayne’s sewage treatment and drinking water processes work, City Utilities is offering free, guided tours of the Water Pollution Control (sewage treatment) Plant and Three Rivers Water Filtration Plant on select Saturdays.
The first of the tours is this Saturday, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m.-noon at the Water Pollution Control Plant, 2601 Dwenger Ave. Visitors will see how the plant operates, visit the award-winning testing laboratory and view its high powered microscope, and learn about the importance of the plant for our health and safety. Tours will begin approximately every 30 minutes with the last tour starting at 11:30 a.m. The tour will involve walking on several surfaces, including gravel, and attendees should not wear open-toe shoes or flip-flops.
Named the P. L. Brunner Water Pollution Control Plant, the facility provides sewage treatment for more than 315,000 area residents in Fort Wayne, New Haven, Leo-Cedarville, Maysville, Grabill, Zanesville, Arcola and many homes and businesses in unincorporated areas of Allen County. Currently, the plant has the capacity to treat 100 million gallons of sewage per day. Last year, the plant treated nearly 17 billion gallons of sewage for the year. The plant has been serving the community since 1940.
On Saturday, Sept. 22, the Three Rivers Water Filtration Plant, 415 Baltes Ave., will offer tours from 10 a.m.-noon. The plant opened in 1933 and after several expansions, is now able to produce 72 million gallons of water per day. The tours give visitors an opportunity to see the plant in operation, learn how City Utilities ensures a safe and reliable water supply, and enjoy the architecture of the Collegiate Gothic style building. Tours will begin approximately every 30 minutes with the last tour starting at 11:30 a.m.
Other tour dates:
Water Pollution Control Plant
Saturday, October 20, 10:00 AM – noon
Three Rivers Water Filtration Plant
Saturday, October 27, 10:00 AM – noon