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How The Plants Work
There are three main stages in the treatment of wastewater. In the first stage, the
wastewater is separated into solids and liquid. Next, the liquid is moved into aeration
tanks where microorganisms consume organic materials and ammonia in the water. In the
final stage, pumps lift and separate the wastewater into six sand filters where gravity
pulls the water through the sand to remove any remaining solids. Before it can be
disposed of, the water is disinfected with Ultra-Violet light to kill any possible diseases,
and aerated so it is safe to release into the Des Plaines and Skokie Rivers.
The remaining solids are treated and transported to the Sludge Recycling Facility in Zion.