Tours

Tours of our facilities are a great way to learn about what happens to the water that goes down the drain!

Metro invites you to experience the sights and sounds (and smells!) of wastewater treatment. We offer public tours for a variety of groups and individuals to join on a “Tour Tuesday”

On a tour of one of our facilities, you will:

  • Learn the basic concepts of how wastewater is treated. 
  • Understand how wastewater treatment serves a critical role in the water cycle.  
  • Discover how the treatment process protects the water supply for some 2.2 million people in our 805-square-mile service area.
  • Observe examples of our commitment to sustainability in our operations whenever and wherever possible. 

Tour Tuesdays will resume in 2024! Public tours for individuals and small groups are offered on the second Tuesday of the month, April through October, at 10:30 a.m. See the schedule and locations below. Reservations are required.  

  • A minimum of five is required for (private) group tours. We can accommodate a maximum of 28.  
  • Tours for individuals and small groups are offered on the second Tuesday of each month, April through October, at 10:30 am. Reservations are required.
  • Tours are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Group tours should be requested a minimum of three weeks in advance.  Due to safety, we can only allow high school age (at least 14 years old) and older at the Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility (Denver).
  • Tours last about 90 minutes and require extensive walking outdoors. Tours are not conducted on holidays, weekends (except when dates are determined by Metro), or during evening hours. Tours may be canceled due to inclement weather.
  • Metro provides reasonable accommodations for tours (and any other public programs) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request accommodation, contact Maritza Franco at mfranco@metrowaterrecovery.com or by calling 303-286-3184 (add 14 days)

Upcoming Tour Tuesdays at Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility

  • October 8
  • A minimum of five is required for (private) group tours. We can accommodate a maximum of 28.  
  • Tours for individuals and small groups are offered on the second Tuesday of each month, April through October, at 10:30 am. Reservations are required.
  • Tours are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Group tours should be requested a minimum of three weeks in advance.  At Northern Treatment Plant, we allow guests 8 years old and older to participate in a tour.
  • Tours last about 90 minutes and require extensive walking outdoors. Tours are not conducted on holidays, weekends (except when dates are determined by Metro), or during evening hours. Tours may be canceled due to inclement weather.
  • Metro provides reasonable accommodations for tours (and any other public programs) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request accommodation, contact Maritza Franco at mfranco@metrowaterrecovery.com or by calling 303-286-3184 (add 14 days)

Upcoming Tour Tuesdays at Northern Treatment Plant

  • September 10
  • A minimum of five is required for (private) group tours. We can accommodate a maximum of 28.  
  • Tours are booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Group tours should be requested a minimum of three weeks in advance.
  • Tours last about 90 minutes and require extensive walking outdoors. Tours are not conducted on holidays, weekends (except when dates are determined by Metro), or during evening hours. Tours may be canceled due to inclement weather. Tours are not conducted on holidays or weekends.
  • Metro provides reasonable accommodations for tours (and any other public programs) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request accommodation, contact Maritza Franco at mfranco@metrowaterrecovery.com or by calling 303-286-3184 (add 14 days)

Bring the wastewater plant to your classroom. Conducted virtually by one of our knowledgeable staff, this 30-minute presentation provides an overview of the treatment process and includes a video and time for live interaction and Q&A. Ideal for grades 3-5.

Contact us for more information for a virtual classroom session.


What Can I Expect During the Tour? 

  • All visitors must wear closed toe shoes for safety.  
  • No eating or drinking is allowed during the tour. 
  • Smoking is NOT allowed anywhere on the plant site. 
  • Dress appropriately for weather conditions as all tours take place mostly outdoors.  
  • Note that some areas require the use of stairs. 

Providing a safe environment for our visitors is a top priority as groups are escorted through the Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility (RWHTF) in Denver and the Northern Treatment Plant (NTP) in Brighton. As a result, there may be areas unavailable for viewing due to construction or maintenance activity. 

Note: We may photograph tours in session for our own promotional purposes. We do inform tour attendees if this is the case.

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