First Friday Wastewater Plant Tours

What happens to water after it goes down the drain? Follow the flush to Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District's wastewater treatment plant, which receives water from 25 communities in the Madison area. On this free tour, you'll follow the path of water as it's transformed from dirty wastewater to clean water and other renewable resources. You'll learn about the role of wastewater treatment in the water cycle and your role in keeping water clean for the future.

The First Friday tours are open to members of the public of all ages, though minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Note that tour may be challenging for younger children, both in content level and route length. The tour involves a good deal of walking, including over grass and up and down stairs, and the route covers about 2/3 of a mile. If you're interested in a tour geared toward younger children, consider scheduling a group tour.

Sewerage district staff will contact people who have RSVPed before the tour to provide directions and safety information; you can also find tour guidance on our Tours page. Tours are typically rain or shine, but may be canceled due to inclement weather or other factors. If a tour is canceled, the District will contact those who have RSVPed by the morning of the tour at the latest.