Consumer Services & Outreach
Sewer Science Program
DC Water teaches wastewater
treatment science
to high-school students.
DC Water offers a free, five-hour mini-wastewater laboratory exercise to high schools in the District of Columbia. In the lab, the students make and treat their own "wastewater" using equipment and materials provided by DC Water. Materials such as coffee grounds, dog food, bathroom tissue, and ammonia are mixed together to create the "plant." The students use the same testing and simulated treatment techniques used by the wastewater technicians at Blue Plains. In addition, active sludge from the plant is brought in for the process.
The Sewer Science program is open to any high school in the District. DC Water can offer the program to only two schools a month from September to May, so please contact us as soon as possible to schedule the lab. When contacting DC Water, please provide the school location, classroom/lab number, requested dates and time, and numbers of students in the class. The lab will need three-five hours of class time, so plan accordingly.
Requests should be sent to ExternalAffairs@dcwater.com or call 202-787-2200 for more information.