W A T E R
W E B Q U E S T
Introduction: Water is one of the most important resources we have. People can survive
without food for several weeks, but without water we would die in just a few days.
On a slightly less dramatic note, millions of gallons of water are needed every day worldwide
for washing, irrigating crops, cooling, and industrial processes. Water is also required for
many forms of recreation, such as swimming, boating and fishing.
Despite our dependence on water, we use it as a dumping ground for all sorts of waste, and
do very little to protect the water supplies we have.
The Task: You are an employee of the Environmental Protection Agency. Your boss, Mr.
Walkerton, has just asked you to write an article in your blog about water pollution.
Mr. Walkerton has asked you to write their article in response to a number of incidents in
which the water has become polluted in different areas around this area. He believes that the
pamphlet will help to increase public awareness about water pollution and it will hopefully
help to prevent its spread.
In your blog, Mr. Walkerton has asked you to include the following information (what types of
pollutions can affect OUR water?):
1. What is water pollution (describe at least 5 types)?
2. What are some of the sources of water pollution (describe at least 5 causes)?
3. What is a point source of pollution?
4. What is a non-point source of pollution?
5. What are some of the consequences of water pollution?
6. What can be done to improve the quality of water after it has become polluted?
7. What are some actions that can be taken to help prevent water from becoming polluted?
The Process: You may work together in groups of two or on your own. You will research and
find answers to all the questions. Once you have all checked and verified that you have
complete and scientifically accurate responses to all seven questions then you will each begin
to write your blog.
Resources: The following is a list of Internet resources that can be used to complete this
project
Real Life Concerns About Water: http://camillasenior3.homestead.com/watersystems4.html
Good information about Water Pollution
Water Pollution Guide: http://www.water-pollution.org.uk/
Point Source of Water Pollution: http://www.in.gov/idem/nps/3416.htm
Nonpoint Source of Water Pollution (This is an EPA webpage!):
http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/nps/whatis.cfm
Preventing Urban Water Pollution: http://www.gdrc.org/uem/water/watershed/urban-waterpollution.html
Information about urban water pollution and how to help prevent it can be found at this site.
Reply to Ask-an-Earth-Scientist http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/ASK/waterpol3.html
This is a reply from ask an earth scientist concerning the topic of sources of water pollution.
Reply to Ask-an-Earth-Scientist http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/GG/ASK/waterpol2.html
This is a reply from ask an earth scientist concerning the topic of water pollution in the
world's oceans .
Water Science for Schools
Water Science for Schools from the USGS provides a lot of general information on water, its
uses, etc... http://water.usgs.gov/edu/mwater.html
The Great Pacific Ocean Garbage Dump:
http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/oceanography/great-pacific-garbagepatch.htm
Evaluation:
Your project will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
Is your blog clear and concise?
Does your public service announcement hook your readers?
Does your public service announcement educate your readers to the problems of water
pollution?
Does your public service announcement inform your readers on what they can do to prevent
or treat water pollution?
Did you include a photo, creative commons or public domain only, with a powerful title?
Did you email your blog to mary_searing@dpsk12.org?