Facility Tours

Thank you for your interest in touring one of Portland Water District’s facilities. Tours are conducted by plant operators and laboratory scientists. Please read the guidelines and tour descriptions and then submit your request via our online form. These criteria ensure a safe and educational experience for both your students and our staff. You will be contacted as soon as your tour is approved.

Guidelines for All Facilities

• Due to the complexity of the content covered, tours at any facility are provided for adults and students in high school and above. Middle school groups will be considered if their course of study is directly related to treatment processes.
• You may request a starting time from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. All tours must end by 3:00 p.m.
• Tour requests must be placed a minimum of one month in advance.
• The maximum number of students on a tour is 20 (excluding chaperones/teachers). Two chaperones per every 10 students are required. 
• Facility tours are limited, and requests are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Bags, including purses and backpacks, are not permitted.
• All adults are required to complete a waiver, sign in upon arrival, and must bring a photo ID.
• Guests under 18, must have a waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian.

Sebago Lake Water Treatment Facility

This facility treats drinking water for a fifth of Maine’s population. The tour covers ozone treatment, UV disinfection, and water quality tests conducted in the laboratory.

Tours of this facility can take up to two hours and are offered year-round, Tuesday through Thursday.  A virtual tour of this facility is available here.

Westbrook/Gorham Wastewater Treatment Facility

Our second-largest wastewater treatment facility offers the opportunity to learn about the positive impacts wastewater treatment has on the environment. The facility size allows students to view wastewater processes directly. 

Currently not open for tours due to construction.

East End Wastewater Treatment Facility

Tours at Maine’s largest wastewater treatment facility include both the facility and the laboratory and are considered for students in higher learning institutions on a case-by-case basis. Tours of this facility are offered Tuesday through Thursday. Tours can take up to 1.5 hours and are offered April through November (closed in the winter).