Water Drops
Science Fun for Kids in the Water Environment
Fall 1996
WATER POLLUTION
YOU AND HJINEr
What is it? Have you ever walked by a stream or lake and seen trash floating on top
of the water? Have you sometimes wondered what it was and where it came from? If you
have, then you have seen water pollution. Water pollution is any substance introduced into
a river, stream, lake, or ocean that harms the natural resources found in those
environments. Sometimes water pollution is visible man-made objects such as plastic bags,
plastic soda rings, fishing lines, balloons, and even shoes. Other times water pollution is
invisible. Fertilizers from farms and chemicals from factories are two causes of water
pollution which are hard to see. Sometimes, everyday activities such as flushing the toilet,
washing dishes, washing our cars, or watering our lawns, also cause water pollution.
Where does it come from? water pollution
comes from several sources and is connected to the water
cycle. Water pollution can come from direct human
activities such as dumping trash and chemicals into the
water, or it can be picked up through the water cycle.
Imagine the path taken by a drop of rain from the time it
hits the ground to when it reaches a river, ground water, or
the ocean. As water runs over land it picks up pollutants
from farms, streets and lawns. As it moves through the
ground it may come in contact with pollutants that have
leaked from landfills, illegal dumps or chemical spills. Also,
water can pick up pollutants that were discharged directly
into streams, rivers, or lakes by some businesses and
manufacturing facilities. In the atmosphere, water vapor
may form around pollutants from cars, factory
smokestacks, and other pollution sources. When this
water falls to Earth any pollutant that it picked up along the
way can become part of the water pollution problem.
COMMON SOURCES OF WATER POLLUTION
Can you name them?
All living things - people, plants,
and animals - depend on water. It
is up to all of us to help keep our
water clean. If we don't, our
waters can become unsafe for
swimming, fishing, and drinking.
There is an abundance of water on
Earth, but all the water in the
world won't benefit us unless it is
clean.
There are many ways to keep our
waters clean. For example,
planting plants and trees along
streams and riverbanks, disposing
of household chemicals properly,
conserving water whenever
possible, recycling, and properly
disposing trash can help keep our
waters clean. Communities and
businesses help keep our water
clean by building wastewater
treatment plants in our home
towns and at factories. These
plants treat water by killing
germs and bacteria and removing
harmful chemicals.
So, the next time you wash a car,
play near a stream, or take a bath,
think about what is going to
happen to the water that you are
using right now. The water that
you use today will be the same
water that someone else will use
tomorrow. Therefore, we must all
do our part to keep our supply of
water clean.
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POLLUTION PUZZLE
How many clues can you figure out?
-
ACROSS
3. Wood comes from a .
5. Two-thirds of the earth is covered with
7. A
evaporates.
9.
is formed when water
destroys oceans, kills
by Kyle Harrington
plants and wildlife, and is bad for our earth.
10. The Sahara is a famous .
DOWN
1. A between two cultures.
2. A piece of land surrounded by water on
all sides is an .
4. A lark flew into the .
6. When water on earth returns to the
atmosphere, it .
8. Soil is another word for
WORD FIND...
Words about water pollution
vertically, horizontally, or
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rain;
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are hidden
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ocean; water;
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drinking;
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sea;
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pollution;
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Words are hidden
find them.
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ice; swimming;
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river;
by Gregory Maheu
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; pond; respect
Games and Puzzles contributed by:
Alexandria, Virginia.
Students from the Aquinas Montessori School in
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Can you identify three things
wrong with this picture?
^
Nature
Nature is a home for most
animals.
Nature has clean water
for animals to live.
Nature is a cheerful place,
quiet and sweet.
Nature had become a
destroyed place.
Nature has been hunted a
lot and animals shot.
Nature is a place you can
love.
Help nature be a place
with no trash.
Nature can be pretty, help
please.
That was nature talking to
me.
Listen to nature and help.
Nature can have beauty.
by Jennifer Metcalf
Trash Hurts Animals
Animals can be harmed by water pollution.
Sometimes animals get entangled in trash found in
oceans, lakes, and streams. Entanglement can
impair an animal's ability to swim, which can cause
drowning or difficulty in moving about, finding food,
and escaping predators. Animals, like sea turtles
and fish, often mistake trash items for food. Once
eaten, items such as plastic bags, balloons, and
plastic resin pellets can interfere with feeding habits
and digestion.
Chemicals and other toxic pollutants are also
considered trash. Chemicals dumped by man into
rivers, lakes, streams, and oceans harm animals by
polluting the habitat in which these creatures live.
As a result, animals may not be able to find clean
water to drink or get clean oxygen from the water to
breath.
You can help nature's creatures by helping to keep
trash and other pollutants out of the water cycle.
You can also get involved in local water clean-ups at
your school or community. To help keep nature's
animals safe, it is up to you to get involved and to
take action to preserve our most precious resource -
clean water.
•MAT YOU CM DO TO HIP KEEP
Take part in regional river, lake, or coastal cleanup campaigns.
Alternative or recyclable materials should be used when
possible.
Keep trash with you when on a boat or beach, then dispose of
it properly.
Educate yourself and others about water conservation issues.
Always throw unwanted fishing line in a trash can, not in the
water.
Cut loops from six-pack soda rings before disposing of them.
Toilets are not to be used to dispose of trash of any kind.
If your family and friends pollute, teach them how to properly
dispose of trash.
Offer help to environmental and conservation groups and
participate in community projects.
Notify your parents or the Coast Guard if you see boats
dumping trash into the water.
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Which of these items are part of the
Water Pollution Solution? Which ones are not?
a.
THINK
GLOBALLY,
ACT
LOCALLY
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How Does Wastewater Get Clean?
Sanitary Sewer System. Wastewater from homes, stores, and businesses runs through a large pipe
that connects drain pipes to a large main sewer. This system collects waste water from all parts of the city
and sends it to a wastewater treatment plant for cleaning and disposal.
Screening Process. A large screen placed in a screening tank removes large solids such as sticks, rags,
and cans from the water as it moves through the screening chamber.
Grit Chamber. Particles such as gravel, seeds, and small stones settle to the bottom of this tank and are
removed.
Settling Tank. Smaller solids are given time to sink to the bottom where they form primary sludge which
is sucked out and sent to a sludge digester.
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Aeration Tank. In this tank, oxygen and bacteria are added to the water to destroy any remaining wastes.
Clarifier. Another large tank where the well-fed bacteria from the aeration tank sink to the bottom as
secondary sludge. Sludge is treated and converted to biosolids used for fertilizers and soil conditioners.
Disinfection Treatment. At this point, water is disinfected with chlorine or other chemicals. The treated
wastewater is then either sent to advanced treatment or is discharged into seas, rivers, or the ground. The
primary sludge is then dried out and composted for use as fertilizer or soil conditioner.
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