FRBV25- Visit to the wastewater treatment plant

There is no real usable underground water in the Dunkerque region, as some places are below sea level. So, the preservation of water is at the heart of the city’s concerns, The water comes from the water tables in the St Omer region, with a capacity of 100,000 m3 per day.

The wastewater treatment plant in Coudekerque-Branche is very modern and have special educational spaces for groups. The aim of this educational space is to educate citizens about water cycles, help them understand the water-related issues facing the Dunkirk region and help them discover eco-gestures to adopt at home.

The visit was divided into two parts; one inside and one outside. The group was thus divided into two groups and after 45 min, we swapped groups.

The first part indoors was first dedicated to the large cycle of water that happened in nature. Then, the students learnt about the small cycle of water that goes from the pumping of drinkable water in the underground table, the way it is treated and analyzed, how it is transported to the Dunkerque area, the way it is used, and the way the water goes to the sewage treatment plant before being rejected in nature again. There was also a part dedicated to the composition of tap water, its benefits and why we should choose to consume it regularly. All these stages were made very clear thanks to large illuminated panels and interaction between the staff and the students

 The second part of the visit was outside and began with a presentation of the role of the wastewater treatment plant: treatment of wastewater and part of the rainwater from the Dunkirk region (10,000m3 are treated every day in the plant) with the aim of depolluting the water before discharging it into the sea. After putting on our safety vests and helmets, we set off on site to discover and understand the different treatment phases: from the bar screen, which eliminates the most important waste, to the clarifier, which separates the water from the sludge. The water undergoes a final disinfection phase, while the analyzed sludge is then recycled for use in construction.

The students enjoyed the visit to the site, which enabled them to understand the role of the wastewater treatment plant, and put the workshop they had taken part in earlier in the week, led by Mrs. Markey, a physics and chemistry teacher, into context. They were also made aware of the negative impact of using wipes and chemical products for household. This visit was a great discovery for all.