Help Protect the Ocean Right in Your Bathroom
Ever
wonder what happens after you flush? Wastewater from 14 Atlantic County
municipalities is guided to our Wastewater Treatment Facility located in
Atlantic City where it's cleaned through screenings and clarifiers. This
includes water that goes through the shower drain, the kitchen sink, the toilet
and any other household appliance in which water is used.

You may recognize the Wastewater Treatment Facility from driving into Atlantic City
At this location, wastewater goes through a biological
treatment process that removes waste and disinfects the water. The process is
essential in protecting the environment, public health and keeping our
community clean. At the facility, wastewater moves through primary clarifiers,
aeration basins and secondary clarifiers to remove waste. The water that has
been cleaned is called effluent. The clean effluent is further treated to
remove any pathogens so that it can be safely discharged into the ocean.
Before
treatment begins, bar screens filter out large debris that could cause problems
during the rest of the process. This year, ACUA finished installing brand new
bar screens in the Headworks building of our facility. The new bar screens help
protect our infrastructure by catching unwanted items like rags and toys that
inadvertently get flushed down the toilet.

The new bar screens recently installed at our facility
The bar screens are also a big help to employees by making
the process more efficient. The updated bar screens are fully automated, which
make operations safer and easier. Employees no longer have to manually collect
and dispose of the debris caught in the screens. There is even an automated
lime-feeding system that helps neutralize odors. The items that are caught by
this step in the process are dumped in our landfill.

Pictured is solid debris collected by the bar screens. Please do not place incorrect items down your drain.
If you are interested in learning more about the wastewater treatment process, click here.
Your Role in the Treatment Process
At home, you play an important role in protecting the
treatment process and helping us keep the water in our community clean. Please
think before you flush. Below is a list of common items that you may think are
okay to flush, but should not be put down your drains, even when they are
marketed as “flushable.”
