Issue Definition
If we all agree that in Philadelphia, we have relatively easy access to a safe and reliable supply of drinking water, this unit will help answer questions about how that happens? This Unit unpacks the origins of our public water supply system in 2.2, how it is engineered in 2.3, how it is processed and tested from source to tap in 2.4 and 2.5 . If students are still not convinced, run a comparison between bottled vs tap water in 2.6 and address some basic questions about taste, cost, safety and plastic.
Outdoor Field Experience
Since students are not longer able to visit a Philadelphia Water Department treatment plant in person, why not rely on the video clips in the unit to take a virtual tour so that they can see the step by step process that is required to produce “finished” or tap water.
Synthesis and Conclusion
Making safe and reliable tap water requires a multi-step treatment process. Modeling the filtration steps in class is one way that students will see for themselves the importance of filtration in making dirty water clean. Making it safe is much more complicated (LE 2.4 and 2.5) and requires an engineered underground infrastructure system. An complex network of scientists, engineers, policy makers, public health advocates and more contribute to safe and reliable drinking water.
Environmental Action Project
Students can explore their city water system or the hydration stations in their school building to do something on behalf of accessible and appealing water. Why not consider students taking action towards the issue of trust in our drinking water. Has the Unit started to help them build enough trust?