School tours and field trips

Students touring West Point Treatment Plant

The following wastewater field programs are available for 5th-12th grade school groups. The Wheels to Water transportation program supports all listed field program options.

King County's wastewater treatment plant tours

Where does it go when you brush and flush? Take a two hour tour and learn how wastewater treatment protects public health and the environment and how everyday choices can protect our water resources. Available for grades 5-12.

Tours are available at:

• South Treatment Plant (Renton)
• West Point Treatment Plant (Seattle)
• Carnation Treatment Plant (Carnation)
• Vashon Treatment Plant (Vashon Island)

Overview of school class tours:

• School field trips are available for student groups 4th through college.

  
  Students at West Point Beach

• Chaperones are required
• Scheduleing must be done 2-4 weeks in advance. Field trips cannot be scheduled more than one month in advance
• Group sizes are 12-50 people
• Wheels to Water bus transportation assistance may be available
• School tours take 2 hours, ½, hour presentation, 1 ½, hour walking tour
• School tours can be extended to a four hour field trip (see Beyond treatment plant tours below)

Wastewater tours answer the following questions:

• How do wastewater treatment plants benefit our community?
• How is science and technology used to clean wastewater before it sent to the Puget Sound?
• How can water conservation and water reuse protect our drinking water and the Puget Sound?
• How do wastewater treatment plants convert waste to valuable resources?
• How can I help protect our sewer system and environment at home?

Beyond treatment plant tours

Extend your South Plant or West Point tour by adding an educational program.

West Point

Restoration work along the Black River.

• West Point Treatment Plant and Discovery Park: Tour the West Point Treatment Plant , enjoy lunch at the West Point Beach (external link) , and take part in a hands-on water quality program at Discovery Park (external link). Plan four to five hours for field trips and lunch. Students will be walking all day and should pack backpacks, sack lunches and water. Limited restroom stops. Fee charged for Discovery Park programs. Grades 5-12. Discovery Park Program scheduling: contact Anne Bentley at 206-386-9110. West Point Treatment Plant tour: contact Casey Plank at 206-263-6028 or casey.plank@kingcounty.gov
  
• West Point treatment Plant and Ecosystem Hike: Tour the West Point Treatment Plant , have lunch at the West Point Beach (external link) and hike through the marine, wetland, forest and meadow ecosystems surrounding West Point Treatment Plant. 1.5 hour moderate intensity hike, trail is not wheelchair accessible. Hike is teacher led with preparation materials provided by King County. Limited restroom availability; limited trash cans. Be prepared to pack-it-in, and pack-it-out. Plan four hours for both field trips and lunch. Free.

  
  Students touring South Plant underground tunnels

• West Point Treatment Plant and Beach Walk and Clean-Up:
  Tour the West Point Treatment Plant, have lunch and explore the marine ecosystem of West Point Beach (external link) and participate in a beach clean-up service project. Beach walk and clean-up are teacher led with preparation materials, trash bags and plastic gloves provided by King County. Limited restroom availability; limited trash cans. Be prepared to pack all trash back to West Point Treatment Plant. Plan three hours for both programs and lunch. Free.

South Plant

Heron's nest in Black River area. Photo by Mike Hamilton.

• South Treatment Plant, Waterworks Gardens and the Black River: Tour the South Treatment Plant, enjoy lunch at Waterworks Gardens and take part in a hands-on water quality program at the Black River (external link) . Both programs are free. Plan four hours for field trips and lunch. Students will be walking all day and should pack back-packs with lunches and water. Limited restroom stops. Grades 5-12.
  
• South Treatment Plant and Cedar Hills Landfill: Take a day to look at waste. Take a two hour tour of the South Treatment Plant followed by lunch and a one hour driving tour of the Cedar Hills Landfill. Limited restroom stops. Plan four hours for field trip and lunch. Grades 5-12.