How many gallons of water does the average citizen use in one day?  Ever wonder where the water in your tap comes from or where it goes when it spirals down the drain?

The topic of wastewater treatment is unfamiliar to most of us, even though we depend on it every day.  Every time we wash water down a drain or sewer, we contribute to the volume of wastewater that must be treated.  Our "used" water or wastewater, with all of its contaminants and toxins, is brought by underground pipes to a nearby treatment facility to be treated.  This "treated" water is called effluent, which is then discharged back into the natural system.  Effluent is often discharged many miles from its original and natural source.

Check out the links on the left menu for detailed information about municipal wastewater facilities, the wastes that they receive, the treatment process (what is treated and what is not), and how to make more informed decisions about better wastewater treatment for the future along New Jersey's coast.

Remember: we all contribute to the wastewater stream, so we all can make a difference in the amount of wastewater that is generated, as well as the quality and contents of wastewater.