The Public Works Department offers a water education program focused on drinking water and wastewater treatment, water conservation and watersheds. The program introduces students to the water treatment process from Mt. Baker to Bellingham Bay. Students experience what a drop of water encounters on its journey through our water treatment facility to their homes, down their drains, and to the wastewater plant where it’s cleaned and returned to the environment.
Public Works educators challenge students to build their own city, provide water to citizens and make sure the water is cleaned and returned to the environment to be used again. In addition, students become Lake Whatcom Investigators, discovering the unique features of our drinking water source. Students receive their Water and Me science journal and begin preparing for their water fieldtrip.
Prior to the fieldtrip, students view two videos. Go with the Flow introduces them to Bellingham’s water system, previewing what they will experience on their fieldtrip. Down the Drain introduces students to issues related to water quality and quantity.
Students review actions they can do to help conserve water and keep watersheds clean. They play Water Hog, an engaging card game teaching students to recognize water-waster actions and learn water conservation choices.
