On October 8th 2025, one of our SAFE interns toured a wastewater treatment facility, receiving a behind-the-scenes look.
By MIa Amaral
On October 8th 2025, one of our SAFE interns toured a wastewater treatment facility, owned and operated by South Essex Sewerage District (SESD), located at 50 Fort Ave in Salem. Our intern received a behind-the-scenes look at the operations and procedures the plant conducts.
SESD was established as a regional municipal entity as a part of the Acts of 1925. The act aimed to address concerns regarding major health and environmental concerns, including the contamination of the Ipswich River and the waters in the Salem & Peabody area. SESD is governed by a six-member board, one member from each community and a chairman. This board employs over 60 employees, with specialities that range from licensed operators, mechanics, electricians, lab technicians, and engineers.
SESD processes over 25 million gallons of wastewater a day, serving over 190,000 residents and businesses in the Southern Essex area. SESD provides wastewater treatment services to Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem, and portions of Middleton and Wenham. The South Essex Sewerage District conveys wastewater from member communities to the Salem Wastewater Treatment Facility (WWTF) through a system of large interceptor pipes and pumping stations. Wastewater is then treated, cleaned, and disinfected through the WWTF. The purified wastewater is then pumped offshore into the Salem Sound.
Wastewater includes all water that is flushed down a toilet or goes down a drain. Contaminants such as household chemicals, pet litter, oils, soaps, human waste, and greywater from sinks and showers can be dangerous for the water supply, and are often difficult to filter out. These contaminants must be filtered from wastewater before it can be released into the Salem Sound.
To ensure the proper filtration of wastewater, we cannot treat our toilets as trash cans. Toilet paper and human waste are the only materials that should be flushed down the toilet. The most common culprit to clogging filtration systems are flushable wipes. Flushable wipes clog our pipes and must be cleaned out by SESD, potentially causing damage that must be repaired, slowing down and inhibiting operations. Other common non-flushable materials include food scraps, baby diapers, greases, tissues, paper towels, and medications. By being cautious and mindful of what we flush down the toilet, we can ensure our wastewater is properly filtered, and we do not inhibit this process. The Pipe Patrol Campaign aims to educate children about the do’s and don’ts of flushing toilets and how easily clogs can happen, by providing them with stickers to place on non-flushable household objects.
Due to the age of Salem’s infrastructure, non-flushables can cause damage, backups, and expensive repairs. The National Association of Clean Water Agencies estimates wipes cost 441 million dollars per year in additional operating expenses. The SESD treatment facility regularly experiences damage to pumps, valves, pipes, and other equipment from wipes flushed, resulting in sewage leaks into local waterways.
SESD is celebrating its 100 years of community service. From 1925 to 2025, SESD has served local municipal sewer departments by collecting and treating wastewater throughout the region. Look out for future tours to learn more about the inner workings of local municipalities. Everyone must do their part and be mindful of what they are flushing, to help make the water for the community as safe as possible.
Mia Amaral is SAFE’s Programs Intern.