Last field trip to Hyperion Treatment Plant
Posted on 06. Jan, 2010 by kchristieh in education, parenting, travel
Yesterday I chaperoned what will probably wind up being my last school field trip ever when I accompanied my daughter’s AP Environmental Science class to the Hyperion Treatment Plant near LAX. Thanks for inviting me, Dr. E!
We got to ride in yellow school buses without seat belts. I had fun sitting next to my friend Sharon S. We sat in front so we wouldn’t make the kids feel awkward. It was strange to be able to see so much in the rear view mirror. Apparently, other chaperones must choose these seats, too. Of course, all the kids were quite well-behaved.
I knew we were in for some fun when this was the first sign I saw. Once the waste water is processed, the clean water is pumped 5 miles out in the ocean, 90′ below the surface, via a 12′ diameter pipe.
But first, we hung out on Dockweiler State Beach for an hour and a half while the first bus took the tour. Hey, 2006! I found your cellphone!
This plant treats 350 million gallons of wastewater from 3 million Los Angeles residents each day. That’s enough to fill up 3 or 4 Rose Bowls each day.
“Wastewater” refers to what comes from your house, not what goes down the drains in the street. That goes straight to the ocean, which is why it’s particularly important not to litter on the street.
Of course, many of us in La Canada have septic tanks, so our effluent never makes it to such a fancy treatment plant. Instead, it collects under our yards and kills our beautiful oak trees. Or mine, anyway.
Guess what’s in this truck? I hope it’s not dumping it near you.
These guys are the facility watchdogs. I think one of them is in the Witness Protection Program.
If you imagine some of the worst things that could wash down the toilet or the drain, they’ve probably been sifted here. I wouldn’t want to explain some of this to younger kids.
Our tourguide says that they’ve found motorcycle parts, money, bowling balls, and even body parts coming through. Eeek!
It smelled bad enough, so I’d hate to be around when the siren sounds.
Everything was really clean on the outside.
Water is being processed under these grids.
The architecture was impressive. The Hyperion plant was named as one of the most amazing public works projects of the 20th century.
Seagulls enjoyed feasting on the bacteria in the skimmer ponds.
Everything looked so sparkling clean. But when I see this, I still smell it…
Nancy, our tour guide, was fantastic. She was sharp, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. Here, she’s showing how water leaves the ponds.
I didn’t take any pictures after this since we went to an underground area where photography wasn’t permitted. It reminded me of Jack Bauer’s haunts at CTU. Many movies and tv shows have been filmed at Hyperion, including Spiderman.
Nancy says that Hyperion is featured in the tourism book Weird California. You might be able to take a tour if you call ahead.
The best part of the day occurred before my daughter went to bed, when she thanked me for going on the trip. Awww!! I’m so grateful that my mere presence there didn’t embarrass her. Too bad this is our last field trip together. :(
They have a plant in Glendale (or is it Burbank) that I did a public art tour of. Afterwards the phrase \from toilet to tap\ took on real meaning for me. I’m just not ready for that although I’m comfortable with grey water on municipal landscapes.
I have driven by the Hyperion Plant. An incredibly beautiful architectural structure.