BATH, Maine – The scent of sulfur hung in the air Saturday as the Bath Water Pollution Treatment Plant hosted a sold-out series of Valentine’s Day tours, drawing couples seeking an unconventional way to celebrate the holiday. The tours, led by plant superintendent Bryan Levitt, offered a glimpse into the inner workings of the facility, from industrial solid-liquid separation gyrators to the dewatering room – described by staff as the plant’s “smelliest” area.
Chris Holloway and Corinne Harvey, a couple from Gardiner, Maine, attended the 10:30 a.m. Tour, holding hands as they listened to explanations of the treatment process. “This is such a cool opportunity,” Holloway said, adding that it was the most unique Valentine’s Day experience in their decade together. Harvey noted they aren’t traditionally “considerable Valentine’s people,” and the tour offered a more engaging alternative.
The couple’s interest in infrastructure extends beyond wastewater treatment. They regularly attend adult education courses focused on Maine’s industrial history, including the timber industry, according to Holloway.
The plant’s Valentine’s Day offering sparked amusement and differing reactions among tourgoers. Carolyn Aberg and her partner, David Nichols, of Bath, found themselves contrasting olfactory experiences in the dewatering room. “He grew up on a farm, so I swear he doesn’t smell things normally,” Aberg said, whereas Nichols playfully countered that his partner is sensitive to even faint odors emanating from farms.
The couple, together for 35 years, described the tour as a “fun and unique” date, with plans to follow it up with a more conventional Valentine’s Day lunch in downtown Bath. For the 18 people on the morning tour, however, the wastewater plant was the highlight of the day.
Levitt explained that the idea for Valentine’s Day tours originated after a documentary featuring Maine wastewater treatment plants gained popularity. Zac Perkins, chief operator at the Bath plant, was featured in the documentary. During a screening, a filmmaker jokingly suggested bringing his wife to the plant for Valentine’s Day, an idea that resonated with the audience, Levitt said.
“The crowd just lit up and thought it was a great idea,” Levitt recalled. The plant advertised the tours on Monday, and both initial tours were fully booked by Tuesday afternoon. A third tour was added on Wednesday, which also quickly reached capacity. Levitt interpreted the rapid sell-out as a reflection of the community’s appreciation for unconventional experiences.
“They love unconventional things and unique experiences,” Levitt said. Tourgoer Nichols echoed this sentiment, stating, “I believe everyone should come to a treatment plant on Valentine’s Day.”
