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The Be Good To Your Water program provides resources to support water education in the classroom.
Learn at home
When you turn on the tap have you ever wondered where your water comes from? And what happens after you flush the toilet?
The journey starts at the source. In Waterloo Region, some of your drinking water comes from the Grand River and most is groundwater.
Next is collection and treatment. Water from the Grand River goes through a multi-step treatment process at the Mannheim Water Treatment Plant and wells (pipes) are put into the ground to extract groundwater.
After the water has been collected, treated and tested, it goes through underground pipes and might first stop at a water tower.
When the water arrives at your home it is ready for you to drink, cook and wash with, and so much more. On average, each of us uses about 152 litres of water every day.
Wastewater is any water that leaves your home through a drain such as a toilet, sink, bathtub, dishwasher or washing machine. After you flush the toilet or pour water down the sink, it leaves your home through a drain that connects to underground pipes to a wastewater treatment plant for treatment before returning to the local river system.
Watch these videos to learn more about the journey
Journey of groundwater to your tap
Movement of groundwater
Learning about groundwater using a 3D model
Collection and treatment of water from the Grand River
Managing water resources and providing clean drinking water to our homes involves a team of dedicated professionals. The water industry offers many challenging and rewarding careers. To learn more visit the Ontario Water Works Association website.
