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RPI EcoEd making connections k-12 students + teachers + university researchers and students protecting, restoring and vitalizing education and environment. RPI EcoEd + Tamarac Environmental Engineering Research Program . Wastewater Treatment.
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RPI EcoEd making connections k-12 students + teachers + university researchers and students protecting, restoring and vitalizing education and environment
RPI EcoEd + TamaracEnvironmental Engineering Research Program
Lynn, Massachusetts Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant 118.8 million dollar plant construction Treats wastewater from four cities/towns (over 134,000 residents) Can treat over 100 million gallons per day …run by 33 employees!
Why Do We Need to Treat Wastewater? • Alternatives: • Store massive amounts of wastewater in tanks/basins • Mix wastewater into clean lakes and rivers • Consequences of poor wastewater treatment: • Leaks/spills! • Poor air and water quality • Health problems
Why Is The Design of Wastewater Treatment Facilities Important? • Capacity to handle waste stream • Energy use • Danger from the treatment process itself
Biggest Wastewater Disasters! • London, 1878 – infrastructure unable to keep up with population growth; cesspools overflowed into Thames River; members of parliament soaked curtains with chemicals to keep out smell • Hawaii, 2007 – 48 million gallons of sewage overflowed into AlaWai Canal; closed down all nearby beaches • Mexico, 2011 – 200 homes flooded by sewage after pipe burst; 3 children injured
RPI EcoEd + TamaracEnvironmental Engineering Research Program Together, the research group will produce • a timeline documenting the development of Tamarac’ wastewater facility • a photo essay describing components and the process of Tamarac’s wastewater system • a photo essay describing how wastewater treatment has developed over time, alternative plant designs, laws governing wastewater treatment and issues arising through their operation • a short lesson for third grade students, contributing to their understanding of “systems.” • Time permitting, we may also produce a film about our research. • There also could be opportunities for fieldtrips.
RPI EcoEd + TamaracEnvironmental Engineering Research Program The research will be presented • to the Brittonkill Board of Education • to interested classes • for critical review and public viewing at RPI’s Earth Week Festival