“Sixty-five years old and still going strong.” These words, whispered by a weathered tour guide, echoed through the air as we stood before the Clarifier. This towering, circular structure, one of 96 at the Stickney plant, is a testament to the enduring power of engineering and innovation. It has been silently working away for over six decades, helping to clean the wastewater that flows from Chicago and its surrounding areas.
The Stickney plant is a marvel of modern technology, one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the world. It’s responsible for treating an average dry weather flow of 22 m3/s and a sustained wet weather flow of 52 m3/s. This plant is a vital part of protecting the Great Lakes and the surrounding ecosystem. It plays a crucial role in the city’s sanitation strategy. The Clarifier itself is a testament to the ingenuity of the engineers who designed it back in 1938. These engineers, with vision and foresight, have ensured this system keeps running smoothly, without major changes for over 65 years.
The Clarifier, though a simple-looking structure, is a complex machine. It uses a process called sedimentation to separate solids from the wastewater. The wastewater slowly flows into the Clarifier and the heavier solids settle to the bottom, while the cleaner water flows out. This process is crucial to ensure that the wastewater is properly treated before being discharged back into the surrounding waterways.
Many people look at treatment plants and think of them as mere utility structures. They are not aesthetically pleasing, but they perform a crucial and necessary function. It’s hard to fathom that the Clarifier, standing silent and unnoticed by most, is a cornerstone of Chicago’s clean water strategy. Behind its unassuming exterior lies a story of innovation and technological advancement, one that has contributed to a healthier and more environmentally friendly city. This is the Chicago we don’t see, but we are all dependent on it.