The East Chicago Sanitary District, Wastewater Division collects, conveys, and treats wastewater. The Sanitary District service area is approximately ten square miles. The collection system/sewer piping is approximately 72 miles long and varying in size from 8 to 96 inches in diameter.

Once the wastewater enters into the collection system, it is then be pumped to the Wastewater Treatment Plant at 5201 Indianapolis Boulevard. We have 11 Pumping Stations throughout the City of East Chicago. They consist of sanitary, storm water and a combination of both. The facility was rehabilitated in 1988 as a Three Stage Wastewater Treatment Plant.

First Stage Treatment

This is also known as preliminary treatment. There are two bar screens that have 5/8 inch openings and six feet width. The bar screens remove materials that flow into the sewer system with the wastewater, i.e., cans, paper, rocks, bottles, plastic, etc. After screening, the wastewater goes through a four foot measuring device called a Parshall Flume. The flow is measured to adjust the treatment means in the plant. From here, the water goes into a Grit Removal System to remove sand and glass that could cause abrasion to the pipes and valves in the treatment system.

Secondary Stage Treatment

This is a form of biological treatment in the oxidation ditch. There are two oxidation ditches with an approximate capacity of 8.42 million gallons with an average detention time of 13.5 hours at an average flow rate of 15 million gallons per day. Bacteria are the biological means used to remove organic material, ammonia and phosphorus. Four aerators with 150 hp motor turn turbine like impellers to add oxygen and velocity to the micro organisms in the water.

Five clarifiers perform a liquid/solid separation. The clarifiers also use physical means. They are 12 feet in depth and 100 feet in diameter. The clarifiers have a total capacity of 3.52 million gallons. Overflow from the clarifiers goes to the Third Stage of Treatment.