Teaching Resources for Water

When you turn on the tap have you ever wondered where your water comes from? And what happens after you flush the toilet?

1. The journey starts at the source. In Waterloo Region, some of your drinking water comes from the Grand River and most is groundwater. 
2. 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.
3. After the water has been collected, treated and tested, it goes through underground pipes and might first stop at one of the ten water tower in Waterloo Region.
4. 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.
5. Wastewater is any water that leaves your home through a drain such as a toilet, sink, bathtub, dishwasher or washing machine. Underground pipes take the water from your home to one of the 13 wastewater treatment plants. At the wastewater treatment plant the solids and liquids are separated and treated before returning to the environment.
6. The treated water is clean enough to be returned to the Grand River. The solids removed during the wastewater treatment process are further treated into a product called biosolids. Biosolids help to fertilize farmers' fields, naturalize old tailing ponds at mines or are landfilled.

(Click on the above image to view infographic as PDF file)

Video: Journey of groundwater to your tap

Video: Movement of groundwater

Video: Learning about groundwater using a 3D model

Video: Collection and treatment of water from the Grand River

Video: All about water towers

Video: Where "it" goes after you flush

In addition to the Learn At Home resources, below are resources specific to teachers.

Groundwater aquifers:

• Awesome aquifer training videos (Groundwater Foundation)
• Groundwater modelling concepts hydrogeology challenge (Groundwater Foundation)

Wastewater:

• Wastewater Grade 4 and Grade 5 lesson activities
• Biosolids Grade 7 curriculum program (Water Environment Association of Ontario)

Websites:

• I Am Groundwater blog (Region of Waterloo)
• Water sources: groundwater (Government of Canada)
• Understanding groundwater (Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs)
• Watersheds 101 (Conservation Ontario)
• Education resources (Groundwater Foundation)
• Teaching tools and resources (The Water Project)
• E-zone: resources for teachers and parents to teach children about the environment (Province of Ontario)
• The water cycle: article / video (Khan Academy)
• Lesson plans and videos (TED-Ed)
• Lesson plans (Khan Academy)

Students can:

• complete a science fair project on water
• use a reusable water bottle
• think of ways to not waste water
• share information with family and friends

Ask the school staff to:

• use winter salt wisely
• regularly check toilets for leaks
• install a water bottle refilling station
• certify as an EcoSchool

• for grades 1 to 8
• includes teacher's resource kit
• 30- to 60-minute custom-tailored presentations
• topics can include:
  • journey of water to our taps
  • where water goes after you flush
  • water conservation tips
  • groundwater protection

Complete this request form to book an in-class presentation.

Waterloo Wellington Children's Groundwater Festival

• for grades 2 to 5
• hands-on activities teach students about water
• registration details on the Waterloo Wellington Children's Groundwater Festival website

Region of Waterloo Mannheim Water Treatment Plant tour

• for secondary and post secondary students and adults only
• technical presentation and tour
• tours by registration only based on staff availability
• to book a tour email Water Services or call 519-575-4400 (Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TTY): 519-575-4608)