Wastewater treatment is crucial for public health and has saved more lives than penicillin. However, treating wastewater is an extremely energy intensive process. The Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District (KWRD) has developed exciting innovations to make this high-energy process much more environmentally sustainable. By turning the waste that remains at the end of the treatment process into a source of energy, they've made the treatment process nearly energy neutral. Each day, an average of 5.5 million gallons of wastewater flows through the sanitary sewers under DeKalb, NIU, the Village of Malta and Kishwaukee College. STEAM Cafes are fun, casual gatherings where adults can eat, drink and chat with STEAM professionals about the latest scientific research.