Have you always wanted to learn more about the main steps of the wastewater treatment process but were afraid to ask? Well, you’re in luck because Metro Water Recovery can help. We offer public tours for a variety of groups – including elementary through college-age students, homeschoolers, teachers, science clubs, scouts, and senior citizens.

Providing a safe environment for our visitors is a top priority as groups are escorted through the Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility (RWHTF) in Denver and the Northern Treatment (NTP) in Brighton. As a result, there may be areas unavailable for viewing due to construction or maintenance activity.

What do you need to know before you arrive for your tour?

• A minimum of five people is required for a group tour.
• Overview tours usually last about 90 minutes. Tours are not conducted on holidays, weekends (except on occasion when dates are determined by Metro), or during evening hours.
• Tours take place outdoors and can require extensive walking. On occasion, tours may be canceled due to inclement weather. Metro does not conduct tours in rain, snow, extreme cold, or when conditions make the tour route unsafe.
• While all ages are hosted at the NTP, tours of the RWHTF are limited to high school students and older.
• Metro provides reasonable accommodations for tours (and any other public programs) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information, please contact Public Information Specialist Colleen Miller (cmiller@metrowaterrecovery.com). 
• Tours are booked on a first-come-first-served basis. Tours should be requested a minimum of three weeks in advance of the desired date.
• Click here to schedule a tour or request more information.

What will you see?

Overview tours include stops at the main process areas:

• Bar screen building
• Grit basins
• Primary and secondary clarifiers
• Aeration basins
• Disinfection
• Outfalls
• Digesters

Note: The stops may vary slightly depending upon the facility.