Wheaton Sanitary District uses a biological treatment process which accelerates the natural biodegradation of sewage by providing air and sewage (the food) for micro-organisms. By providing plenty of food and air, we increase the concentration of these micro-organisms which speeds the degradation of sewage.

We receive many requests for tours from groups both local and worldwide. Please call (630)668-1515 to schedule a tour. Children are welcome with adult supervision. Tours are tailored to the interest level of each group.

The plant is designed to treat a dry weather flow of 8.9 million gallons per day (mgd), a peak daily flow of 13.4 mgd and a peak wet weather flow of 45 mgd. The treatment provided is a biological process that includes trickling filters as roughing filters and the activated sludge process. The plant provides tertiary treatment with sand filtration. The effluent from the plant is disinfected using sodium hypochlorite (bleach) to kill pathogenic bacteria. After disinfection, the residual chlorine from the hypochlorite is removed with sulfur dioxide. Biosolids/sludge produced in the treatment process is anaerobically digested, dewatered with centrifuges, and spread on farm fields.

Links to descriptions (with photographs) of the various processes used by Wheaton Sanitary District are listed below:

1. Preliminary Treatment
2. Primary Treatment
3. Roughing Filters
4. Activated Sludge
5. Effluent Filtration
6. Effluent Disinfection
7. Sludge Digestion
8. Sludge Dewatering
9. Sludge Storage
10. Other Unique Features