Stormwater
What is rain called when it flows over streets, roofs, lawns, and parking lots?
Runoff.
What type of small creatures live in water, don’t have backbones, and are big enough to be seen without a microscope?
Aquatic macroinvertebrates.
Where does dirty water go to be cleaned after you flush the toilet or take a shower?
The wastewater treatment plant.
What are creatures so small they can only be seen with a microscope called?
Microorganisms.
Name something that can pollute the stormwater system if it's left on the street.
Trash, chemicals, vehicle fluids, pet waste, etc.
Why is it important to take care of our water, clean it, and reduce waste?
Because we have a limited amount of drinkable water on Earth, and everyone has to share it!
What are the openings along curbs that water flows into?
Storm drains.
Big bugs are an important part of the food web and help feed what other types of animals?
Fish, frogs, birds, turtles, etc.
Where does the MWMC wastewater treatment plant release cleaned water to?
The Willamette River.
What is the phase of the wastewater treatment process where microorganisms eat pollutants out of the water?
Biological treatment.
Name a product that might be labeled “flushable”, but is not safe to flush because it can clog pipes and won’t break down like toilet paper.
Wipes.
What is the material the MWMC produces from human waste that’s used as a fertilizer on the Biocycle Farm and local grass farms?
Biosolids.
In Eugene and Springfield, what rivers eventually receive all of our stormwater?
The Willamette River and the McKenzie River.
What type of aquatic bug builds its shell out of rocks, sticks, and whatever else it can find?
Caddisfly.
What does wastewater move through while it's on its way to get cleaned?
Pipes (and pumps or pump stations).
What is added to wastewater so that microorganisms can stay alive and eat pollution out of the water?
Air (or oxygen).
Why is it a problem if soap ends up in stormwater, but not a problem if it goes into wastewater?
Wastewater is cleaned at the treatment plant, but stormwater goes to the rivers without being cleaned.
What type of trees does the MWMC grow on its Biocycle Farm?
Poplar trees.
What water temperature do fish and other aquatic life need to stay healthy?
Cold water - about 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
Some big bugs, like mayflies and dragonflies, go through what big (lifecycle) change as they grow into flying insects?
Metamorphosis.
What is the first step in the wastewater treatment process where items like trash and disposable wipes are removed?
Physical treatment (or pretreatment).
In the secondary clarifiers, how do microorganisms that have gotten fat and heavy from eating get removed from the water?
They sink to the bottom.
What are the only three "P's" that can be flushed down the toilet?
Pee, poop, and paper (Toilet Paper only!).
What type of treated wastewater is used to irrigate the poplar tree farm?
Recycled water.
What substance has to be in water for aquatic animals to breathe?
Dissolved oxygen.
What aquatic big bug has gills along both sides of its abdomen?
A mayfly.
In chemical disinfection, what chemical is added to the water to remove germs and help make the water safe before it goes back into the environment?
Chlorine. (Sodium hypochlorite, or bleach).
How long do bacteria live on average at the treatment plant?
Five days.
What kind of materials can harden in wastewater pipes when poured down the drain and cause clogs?
Fats, oils, and grease. (FOG)
Which type of gas does the MWMC produce by converting byproducts of the wastewater treatment process into a sustainable fuel for cars?
Renewable natural gas. (Also called methane.)