Mar 13, 2008

JEFFERSON CITY –– For many high school students, the story of wastewater begins and ends with the sound of a flush, but 16 Ava High School students got the rest of the story this week during a visit to the Ava wastewater treatment plant. The field trip to the plant, which was coordinated by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, gave the junior and senior science and agriculture students a chance to see how municipal wastewater is processed. The Department of Natural Resources' environmental field trip program organizes outings for high school science classes, focusing on facilities that are regulated by the department, like wastewater facilities, or sites where department employees work. The goal of the program is to help students develop an appreciation for the environment and an interest in careers that focus on environmental protection. The trip to the water treatment plant was preceded by a visit to Bryant Plastics, Gainesville. Managers of the plant, which produces plastic PVC pipe, showed the students how the plant uses recycled plastics in its manufacturing process. The final destination of the day was a tour of Crystal Lake Fisheries of Ava, a commercial trout hatchery that produces fish for both stocking other waterways and human consumption. The fishery operates under a water quality permit issued by the department. Schools interested in the field trip program should contact program coordinator Jim Lubbers by e-mail at jim.lubbers@dnr.mo.gov or visit the program Web page at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/services/fieldtrips.htm. In addition to coordinating the field trips, the department also pays for transportation, lunch and the cost of substitute teachers to cover the classes of the teachers on the field trip.