The City's wastewater treatment facility provides an important buffer between the natural environment and the public. The treatment facility protects the public from untreated waste that would degrade the health of the public, water, land and air on which life depends.

• Wastewater Operator of the Year in 1991
• Wastewater Treatment Facility of the Year in 1994
• Lakeside Corporation National Award in 1994
• Residuals Management Award in 1996
• Wastewater Operator of the Year Award in 1997
• Safety Award from MWEA Association in 1997
• Wastewater Operator of the Year Award in 2001
   

During the recreational season of April-October the treated water is disinfected by the use of High Intensity Ultraviolet lights which destroys the bacteria that are discharged to the receiving stream. By utilizing this method of disinfecting, the use of chlorine injection is eliminated.

Biosolids at the wastewater facility are land applied by injection. This process allows the Biosolids to be beneficially used on farm fields for growing crops such as corn, wheat, beans and hay to name a few, these crops are all for Non-Human Consumption Only.
 

Biosolids are a recyclable material resulting from the treatment of wastewater. Biosolids are rich in nitrogen and phosphorus along with other supplementary nutrients in smaller doses.

                                                     Approximately 40-50 percent of the 8-9 million tons of Biosolids produced each year by municipal treatment facilities are recycled for beneficial use and reused in a variety of applications.