NEW Water: Our History at a Glance - Magazine - Page 23
Harnessing Science
& Technology
Since its inception, staff have harnessed science and
technology to enhance operations to meet permit
compliance cost effectively, as well as to protect
public health and water resources. Over the decades,
treatment processes have continually improved,
as regulations have mandated stricter limits on
pollutants in area waters. Advanced technologies
allowed the organization to accept industrial waste
as well as residential waste, which was a not only a
boon to economic development, but also a progressive
step forward for ushering in cleaner waters for the
community.
Advancements in science and technology have led to
operational progress for wastewater treatment. This
included donning a special suit to investigate underwater
activity at the "outfall" pipe (which leads to receiving
waters), as well as the implementation of trickling filters,
a process using rocks to separate solids from liquids in
wastewater. Further advancements brought computers
and “real-time” data into operations in the 1970s and
led to an on-site, state-certified Laboratory to conduct
analyses on wastewater samples.
The pump station was built in 1975, using caisson
engineering, a process to create a foundation similar to
the process used to construct the Brooklyn Bridge. Once
coined the “tallest building in Green Bay,” the pump station
is 10 stories below ground, and five stories above ground.
After the enhancements made Lambeau Field taller, NEW
Water was happy to hand over the “tallest building” title to
our community’s beloved Green Bay Packers.
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