For residents who wonder what happens after wastewater is flushed away from view, the Central Costa Costa Sanitation District has officially opened registration for its award-winning Citizens’ Academy, which provides a free, which county officials say provides a behind-the-scenes look at a core service that seldom sees the spotlight.

Set to run from March 11 to April 22, participants will learn about recycled water use; how Central San cleans more than 13 billion gallons of wastewater every year; and how it operates as a government agency.

Central San officials added that the academy also includes a tour of Central San’s various facilities including its treatment plant, laboratory, recycled water fill station and household hazardous waste collection facility.