The general treatment of the incoming wastewater is a living and breathing process. It's actually not unlike a highly amplified version of a wetland. A number of specific bacteria, protozoan, and other microlife view our wastewater pollutants in terms of food in a basic elemental form. The microlife 'eats' the food, it grows, and it reproduces more microlife.
In very broad terms, each day the operators must remove a portion of this aerobic biomass to balance the food to microlife ratio. This removed portion of the process is called the biosolids. The biosolids are then subjected to a natural phase called digestion where they become very old and stable. This stabilization process kills the pathogens and renders a very beneficial soil nutrient. We land apply these biosolids at an agronomic rate under the strict supervision of DWR.
Recognition
The City of Clinton's program was categorically recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as one of the twelve best in the nation during the calendar year of 2000.