The document compares the first day of school to wastewater treatment in 7 ways: 1) Both are necessary even if not exciting. 2) Major infrastructure and school supplies can be very expensive. 3) Careful planning goes into choosing appropriate attire. 4) Tasks are better with friends. 5) Unusual animals and creatures may be encountered. 6) Extensive paperwork and documentation is required. 7) Hands-on work can be enjoyable.

1. ways wastewater treatment
is like the first day back to school
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District presents
7
Parents, it’s that time of year again. And we can make a few connections between our work and your kids’ first-day jitters that
you might not have expected.

2. Sure maybe it stinks, but where
would you be without it?#1
7 ways wastewater treatment is like the first day back to school
While you might not be excited about your first day back, you need it. Same thing with wastewater treatment: You wouldn’t last
long without it.

3. Your supplies list tends to be
pretty pricey.#2
7 ways wastewater treatment is like the first day back to school
Students’ supplies lists seem to make our jaws drop. A $189 million sewer tunnel tends to generate the same response, but when
it can store 60 million gallons of water to prevent spilling pollution, it helps put things into perspective.

4. Picking out the perfect outfit
takes time.#3
7 ways wastewater treatment is like the first day back to school
Decisions, decisions. Whether walking into your new classroom, or descending into a sewer inspection, what you wear matters.
Learn more about your wardrobe options at http://neorsd.org/careers

5. Class is better with friends.#4
7 ways wastewater treatment is like the first day back to school
We think the same thing about work. You can get a glimpse of our work at our annual Open House, and it’s common for guests to
bring friends. http://neorsd.org/openhouse

6. Class pets are awesome.#5
7 ways wastewater treatment is like the first day back to school
Who doesn’t love a class guinea pig? In our line of work, we find all sorts of animals, from rats and cockroaches, to dogs and
alligators. Seriously.

7. You’re gonna bring home 17
bajillion forms to sign.#6
7 ways wastewater treatment is like the first day back to school
Maybe it just feels that way. But our permitting process is very stringent, and we document many steps in our data-collection
process to make sure we are treating our water properly.

8. Getting your hands dirty
can be fun.#7
7 ways wastewater treatment is like the first day back to school
Wading in streams, walking in sewers, scraping settling tanks clean, it’s all in a days work.

9. Tweet @neorsd for news
and @WallyWaterdrop for fun
facebook.com/YourSewerDistrict
Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
You can also find us at neorsd.org and our blog neorsd.org/blog