We all know to try not to pollute water. But, when we do pollute water, water has to go through these steps:

*The water goes to the bar screen which traps the big stuff like bags, wrappers, and human bodies sometimes.

*Then the water goes into something to take all the grit out.

*The it goes into tubs that have bugs that can't be seen without a microscope. The bugs eat the bad stuff like dirt that has not been captured by other things.

*Now the machine has to capture the scum and sludge. The scum rises to the top and the sludge sinks to the bottom of the water. It is because the sum is lighter and the sludge is heavier.

*Now they add chlorine to the water so they can send it back to the river.

It was the most exciting, enjoyable, and educational trip.

By Meera S.

The water that we use goes through the sewer and to the treatment plant. At the plant, there are a few steps the water has to go through to be cleaned and put back in the closest river. The water first goes trhough a screen to get out the big stuff we don't want in our water. Then the sludge sinks to the bottom and the scum floats to the top of the water. Then the machines at the plant can get out the sludge and scrape off the scum on the top of the water. The microorganisms eat the stuff in the middle of the water. Then the people at the plant put a bit of chlorine to kill all he rest of the germs.

By Stephen S.

Today, we went to Philadelphia's Water Department's Southeast Water Pollution Control Plant. The first thing that came to our attention was the smell. We saw all the disgusting water. Then we went down some stairs and saw a lot of pipes. The lights were yellow and cool. It was there the microorganisms were grown. Then we went to a place where they find out which machines are running. Today, number 3 and 4 were running. After that, we went to a place where they have large tanks that hold water. Next, we went to the bar screens that would take out soda cans and large stones. Then we went to where the micororganisms eat all the little bacteria. We had a great time there.

By Kevin W.

Hi! My name is Tyrone. I'm 7 years old. And I'm going to tell a story about water. One time in Philadelphia, people drank water from the Delaware River. But that was a problem because after a month people started getting typhoid fever. So some great scientists made a place where the water can be cleaned. I'm going to tell you how the water can be cleaned. First put on your imaginary hat and let's go back in time. PEEW! It's sewage. See all the things floating. That's called scum. Look! It's where they put the sewage through the bar screens. And that's where the sludge settles. Sludge are the things that sink. Now they're scraping the scum off the top. Here come the tiny bugs that eat the dirty stuff called microorganisms. Now the water looks like a chocolate river. They are adding chlorine to make the water clean. Now we're going into the lab to see how the water comes out. Cool! The water is crystal clear. That was a cool tour. But now I have to go. Bye.

By William B.

Today we went to the Fairmount Water Works and the Southeast Water Treatment Plant in Philadelphia. The Water Works is a historical landmark built in the early 1800's. It is a water pumping station. In the early 1800's they used to pump water up the hill to a huge reservior where the art museum stands today. Next, we visited the water treatment plant. First our tour guide, Ed Grusheshki, took us to a large corridor which was under the whole plant. Most of us noticed that the lights generated no heat in case of an explosion. Then we learned the process for cleaning water. First the water flows through bar screens which stop large items of trash. Next, the grit in the water falls to the bottom. The scum ( grease) rises to the top and the sludge (waste ) falls to the bottom . Theese are skimmed away. Then the microbes eat all of the dissolved stuff. The final step is to add chlorine. Then it flows to the Delaware River. This process is repeated lots of times.

by Andrew L.

Today we went on a trip to a part of Philadelphia which most people never see or think about . We went to the Wastewater Treatment Plant . It is very interesting seeing how dirty water became clear, clean water. We saw how dirty water comes into the plant from the sewer system. First the water goes through a bar screen. The bar screen traps the big things like bottles. Then the dirty water goes into another tank where the sludge goes to the bottom and scum goes to the top. Sludge is big things like rocks and scum is oily liquid that floats to the top. Regular water stays in the middle. Next they pump air into the water. Scum forms into big balls that float to the top. Now they put microorganisms that eat dissolved items like salt and they also eat germs. The microorganisms get fat and die and go down to the bottom. Then the water is put through a filter to get all the dead microorganisms out. Next they put chlorine into the water. The chlorine cleans the water. Now they dump the water back into the Delaware River. During this whole process, air is always pumped into the water so that fish can live when the clean water is put into the river.

By Jared T.

Hi!! I'm Zat Sat Mat the microorganism . I was born at the Philadelphia Pollution Control system. It's been two weeks since I got separated from my parents. I've been eating almost ten food items less than usual. I've seen what happened to some other microbes. They get fat. And people sing this annoying song that goes like this: "The water will land all safe and clean in the Schuykill river which runs down stream." I'm lost in what is called a grit chamber . Then light stuff called scum goes to the top and heavy stuff called sludge goes to the bottom. Then the water and scum go through a hole "like I am now!" Then we go to my home where the Microorganisms play. "Look Mama, Dada." Uh oh. I was scared. I didn't know what to do. They were sinking but they were still there. I reached to grab them but I started to sink with them. I was scared. I grabbed another one of the skinny microorganisms. We were all sinking. Just then I saw someone else who was telling us to grab the railing instead of each other. "Thanks." I said. I grabbed the railing. "You saved my life." "No big deal," she said. I dived and saved my parents and lived happily ever after.

by Nia A.

Hi! My name is Squirmy. I am a microorganism. I'm about to eat the bacteria and other stuff that comes from humans. Please pass the the bacteria and some of the germs. Um, um good. I love germs. Pop! I got so fat I popped. Now I am at microorganism heaven.
 

I'm Sludge. I am the stuff that is heavy. I'm rocks and waste from humans. I am black and on the bottom in an area at the waste treatment plant. We're on the bottom because no one would want to drink us

Hi! My name is Larry. I am scum. Scum is the stuff that floats at the top of the dirty water at the waste water treatmeant plant. Did you know scum is the opposite of sludge? It was nice talking with you. Good bye.

By Kevin B.