Local wastewater workers share their passion as Colorado celebrates their work

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Residents of Colorado Springs flush 40 million gallons of dirty water a day. For Utility Wastewater Worker Appreciation Day, KRDO13 shows residents where their waste goes after the flush and highlights the public servants who passionately work to turn our waste into usable water for recreation.

"Does it feel kind of weird that we're standing on a bunch of poop?" KRDO13's Bradley Davis asked water and wastewater operations manager Mike Myers while both stood on a platform above an aeration basin.

"Not for me. Just another day at the office," Myers said.

It takes just 17 hours for the Colorado Springs wastewater plants to turn our sewage into non-potable water safe to put back into the environment. While the job may seem unsavory, employees told KRDO13 they take pride in their work and what they do for the community.

“We’re avid fishermen. We do a lot of rafting. We spend a lot of time on the rivers, so there’s a lot of passion that goes into our job. We have to make sure that we keep our waters clean and safe for the public," said wastewater operations environmental specialist Chris Fernandez.

Both wastewater plants in Colorado Springs operate 24/7, processing the waste and clearing clogged up pipes throughout the city.