Researchers study midge fly infestation in Ohio wastewater treatment plants (via phys.org)

Ever wonder what happens to the water when it goes down the drain or toilet? Eventually, it ends up at a water reclamation facility, where it is filtered, cleansed and converted back into water that can be used for other purposes, such as agricultural irrigation, replenishing surface and ground water, and sometimes conversion back into drinking water.

Water reclamation facilities are equipped with many huge holding tanks that collect, filter out and process waste. This provides an ideal home—cozy indoor facilities with plenty of sludge food on the menu!—for pest midge flies.

And eventually the population can get out of control, impacting the lives of workers and nearby residents. Employees work while their eyes, ears, mouth and nose are accosted by thousands of midges, making it hard to breathe...read more.