816F08127
Drinking
/\ctivitu I age Lesson f ian
Introduction
This lesson plan will briefly explain the water cycle and the water treatment process. The drawing shows rain,
which is a form of precipitation. The water is then provided to the water treatment center to go through the
water treatment process. It is very important for children to learn at a young age about the water cycle and
the water treatment process. Learning how we get our drinking water is important. Learning what we can do
in our environment, homes, public buildings and schools to keep it clean is important too.
Objective
The students will begin to understand the water cycle and the water treatment process through an interactive activity with
the classroom teacher and the Drinking Water Activity Page.
Lesson Directions
Part 1: Introductory Activity: Ask the students to share their favorite type of precipitation with the class. Make a list on
the board of everyone's favorite type of precipitation.
Part 2: The Water Cycle
Briefly describe the water cycle process to the students using the background information below.
Part 3: The Water Treatment Process
Briefly describe how water is made safe to drink using the background information below.
Part 4: Hands On Activity: Drinking Water Activity Page
Provide each child with a copy of the coloring activity. Explain that the
drawing represents the water coming from the sky as rain, which is a
form of precipitation. The water is then provided to the water treatment
center to go through the water treatment process. After the water is
clean and safe to drink, it is then sent to the school where children
drink the water. Point out the source of the water, the water treatment
plant, and where we get drinking water in the school: (1) water service
line, (2) drinking fountain, and (3) faucet.
Part 5: Discussion
Ask the student about sources of water.
Ask the students if their school has faucets and drinking
fountains just like the school in the picture.
Ask the students to share the most interesting piece of
information learned during the coloring activity.
Background Information
Water Cycle
The earth's water constantly moves and recycles over and over again.
This movement is called the water cycle. Precipitation occurs when
there is so much water in the air it cannot hold on to it. It fills up the
lakes, streams and oceans. The earth also soaks up some of the water
and stores it under the ground until it is needed. The storage is called an
aquifer. When the sun comes out and heats up the water, it turns into
vapor or steam. The plants, trees and land help add to the vapor. This
is called transpiration. When vapor in the air gets cold, it changes back
into liquid to form clouds. This is called condensation. When the clouds
get heavy, the cycle starts over.
For a more interactive and in-depth approach to educating students on
the water cycle, Thirstin's water cycle interactive lesson can be utilized:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/flash/flash_watercycle.html.
Coloring Activity Sheet:
Water At-h'vi'ty
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Water Treatment Process
The quality of water varies in different areas. Therefore, water may be treated
differently in different communities depending on the water quality. Groundwater
typically requires less treatment than water from lakes, rivers, and streams. The
following explains the water treatment process:
1. Coagulation removes dirt and other particles from water. Alum and other
chemicals are added to water to form tiny sticky particles called "floe" which attract
the dirt particles.
2. During sedimentation, the heavy particles (floe) settle to the bottom and the
clear water moves to filtration.
3. In the filtration stage, the water passes through filters that help remove even
smaller particles.
4. When the water goes through disinfection, a small amount of chlorine is added
or some other disinfection method is used to kill any bacteria or microorganisims
that may be in the water.
5. Water is placed in a closed tank or reservoir in order for disinfection to take
place. The clean water then flows through pipes to homes and businesses in the
community.
Information for the Teacher - Sources of Lead in Water
Lead exposure is a serious health concern, especially for young children. Drinking water is one possible source of lead
exposure. Most sources of drinking water have no lead or very low levels of lead. Most lead gets into drinking water after
water leaves the local well or treatment plant. The contamination usually occurs when the water comes in contact with
plumbing materials that contain lead. These materials may include lead pipes, lead solder, as well as faucets, valves and
other parts made of brass. The physical and chemical interaction that occurs between water and plumbing is called
corrosion. The amount of corrosion that occurs contributes to the quantity of lead that can be released into the drinking
water. When there is lead in drinking water, it cannot be seen, tasted or smelled in the water. The only way to know if
there is lead in drinking water is to conduct testing.
Glossary
Aquifer - the earth soaks up some water and stores it under the ground until it is needed.
Coagulation - removes dirt and other particles suspended in water
Condensation - when vapor in the air gets cold it changes back into liquid to form clouds.
Disinfection - a small amount of chlorine or other disinfection that is used to kill any bacteria or microorganisims.
Drinking Water- water that is made safe for people to drink.
Faucet - is the spout that provides water from a pipe in a building.
Filtration - water passes through filters to help remove small particles.
Groundwater - water located underground, typically requires less treatment than water from lakes, rivers and streams.
Precipitation - rain, sleet, snow or hail.
Sedimentation - the process during heavy particles (floe) settle to the bottom and clear water moves to filtration.
Service Line - this is the pipe that is underground that connects a building to the water source.
Solder- a substance material that joins two pipes together.
Storage - water is placed in a closed tank or reservoir in order for disinfection to take place.
Transpiration - when water travels from a plants roots and turns into vapor or steam.
Water Fountain/Cooler - is a public source of drinking water.
Water Cycle - the movement of and recycling of water on the earth.
Additional Resources
EPA web site: http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/watertreatmentplant/index.html
EPA lead web site: http://www.epa.gov/lead
3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Schools (EPA 816-B-05-009):
http://www.epa. gov/safewater/schools/pdfs/lead/toolkit_leadschools_fs_3ts_main.pdf
3Ts for Reducing Lead in Drinking Water in Child Care Facilities Revised Guidance (EPA 816-R-05-009):
http://www.epa. gov/safewater/schools/pdfs/lead/toolkitjeadschools_guide_3ts_childcare.pdf
Office of Water (4606) EPA 816-F-08-127 September 2008 www.epa.gov/safewater
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