From NEW Water’s De Pere Facility, approximately 8 million gallons per day of wastewater are treated and discharged into the Fox River.
NEW Water’s treatment system is designed to meet effluent limits established by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), and those limits focus on protecting public health and the environment. As regulations and permit requirements change over time, NEW Water continuously plans for and invests in capital projects to ensure compliance and to maintain high-quality treatment standards.
Watch the video to learn more about the De Pere Facility.
Why Wastewater Can Appear Colored or Foamy
As a wastewater treatment facility serving a large metropolitan area, NEW Water receives wastewater from a variety of sources, including industrial and commercial users. This wastewater may contain dyes, pigments, and other coloration and foam that are difficult to break down or remove using traditional wastewater treatment methods, and at times may be visible in treated effluent discharged to the river. Please note that as a working wastewater facility, odors may also be present.
NEW Water operates under a permit from the WDNR, which sets water quality limits for its discharges. Industrial users connected to the system are required to comply with applicable regulations and permit requirements.
Additional Notes
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In some cases, the outfall discharge water may appear black (see enclosed image). This is due to the effluent – or clean, treated water – being clearer and generally cleaner than the receiving waters in the Fox River (see included image of clean effluent). The Fox River is considered an impaired body of water, and many efforts are underway to improve these waterways.
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In other cases, you may see vibrant “pea green” coloration (see enclosed image) – which could be due to any number of reasons, including harmful algal blooms, or HABs, which can be harmful to humans and pets and should be avoided. To learn more about staying safe around potential HABs, visit: www.avoidtheick.org
Learn how you can #LoveYourWatershed and help improve area waterways here >>-
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Be safe! Out of an abundance of caution, it is always recommended that people recreating in any waterway do not drink or swallow the water, always rinse off afterwards, and contact a healthcare provider if they feel ill.
For safety, follow Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), WDNR, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for swimming in natural waterways.
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