WSSC Water earns educational award from NACWA
The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) presented the 2023 National Environmental Achievement Award in the Public Information & Education Program to WSSC Water for its Introduction to Wastewater Treatment Virtual Unit.
The award recognizes inventive water and sewer utilities’ efforts to educate the public on the effects of wastewater treatment and pollution control. NACWA presented the award to WSSC Water during a ceremony on Feb. 14, 2023.
WSSC Water’s educational outreach program reaches an average of 2,000 students each year throughout two of the nation’s largest school districts. To meet growing demand for environmental curriculum and build more online programing due to COVID-19, staff created virtual tours of the utility’s Seneca and Piscataway Water Resource Recovery Facilities (WRRF), formerly known as wastewater treatment plants.
The virtual tour uses 360-degree photos and Google’s satellite technology to provide educators and students a step-by-step tour of how wastewater is expertly treated to protect the Chesapeake Bay by returning clean water back to Maryland waterways. The unit includes a complete curriculum and teacher’s guide. Since its launch in the fall of 2021, approximately 800 students have experienced the virtual program.
WSSC Water’s STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) education programs introduce engineering and environmental science topics and careers to elementary through high school-age students. Educators and students can request the Wastewater Treatment Virtual Unit by visiting wsscwater.com/educationoutreach and clicking on the “request resources or a program” button.
WSSC Water operates and maintains six WRRFs across Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. The facilities treat about 70 million gallons of wastewater each day.