During recent visits to Licking’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, Derek Hammond from Licking City Utilities shared captivating insights with Mrs. Candice Shepherd’s fourth grade classes. The students learned about the plant’s capacity and visible stalactites as well as its crucial role in purifying community wastewater before it flows back into natural waterways.
As part of their science curriculum on watersheds, sinkholes, and drainage systems, the fourth-grade students visited the wastewater treatment plant to gain a deeper understanding of how water is treated. City Utilities employee Derek Hammond, who is certified as a B operator, led the students on a comprehensive tour of the facility. He explained the intricate filtration and pumping systems that process water used for personal hygiene, laundry, and cleaning before being released back into natural waterways.
The students learned about the three purification methods employed at the plant – chemical, physical, and biological processes – and were introduced to mist flies during a tour of one of the pumping sheds. Hammond answered questions and offered explanations about the equipment and procedures involved in the purification process while emphasizing the importance of not introducing certain items into sewer systems.
The trip concluded with a visit to Spring Creek beside the treatment plant where consistently high waste removal rates of 98 – 99 percent were observed, meeting state standards set by Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Overall, this field trip provided an enriching experience for students by offering unique insights into Licking’s wastewater treatment process and its significance in maintaining clean water quality in our communities.
