Infrastructure Tourism: Wastewater Treatment Plant

Have you ever wondered what happens to your waste when it is flushed … away? Where does it go, and how is it cleaned?

Join us for a unique opportunity to tour the Buffalo Sewer Authority’s Bird Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, one of the largest of its kind in New York State. BSA’s Alex Emmerson will guide us through the plant’s primary and secondary treatment facilities, built in the 1930s and 70s respectively. Learn about aerators, clarifiers, digesters, sludge cakes, and all the critical processes that make our modern, urbanized existence possible.

This tour takes place both indoors and outdoors regardless of weather, so please wear comfortable shoes and dress accordingly.

The tour includes considerable walking, and is not wheelchair accessible as there are many sets of steps and narrow spaces.

The tour is FREE with registration; a suggested donation of $10 ($5 for El Museo members) is requested.

Closed-toe shoes are REQUIRED (no sandals, flip-flops, etc).

Tour meets at 1pm at Broderick Park (Foot of Ferry). Tour length is approximately three to four hours.

NOTE: This tour is SOLD OUT!

If you still want to be on the tour, please join the waiting list below, and we will notify you if spots become available.

If there is enough interest, we will schedule another tour on a later date!