Melbourne
Water
Education Programs
Melbourne Water provides a variety of educational programs for schools including excursions and
incursions covering a range of water education topics. The focus may be on waterways, the urban water
cycle or sewage treatment.
Treatment Plant tours
Western Treatment Plant
The Western Treatment Plant is Melbourne’s largest
sewage treatment plant. Students (Grade 3 and up) are
able to visit the site for half or full day excursions and
learn about different aspects of the water cycle. Students
can discover the sewage treatment process in a one hour
bus tour of the plant. The tours are a unique opportunity
for visitors to observe how sewage is treated, how
methane gas is used to generate electricity for the plant,
and gain insight into other aspects of the Western
Treatment Plant including farming and the Ramsar listed
wetlands.
Two hour site tours are available to complement Year 10, VCE and tertiary studies.
Tours can be supported by a range of educational activities outlined below.
Western Treatment Plant educational activities
Year Level
Activity
All ages
Discovery centre guided tour
The Discovery Centre takes visitors on a guided tour of the water cycle from
catchment to coast. This session provides an overview of Melbourne’s water
supply, sewage and waterway network and facilitates discussions around
sustainable water management.
All ages
Water smart cities
Explore stormwater and pollution in the Lego city! Students are introduced to
impacts of stormwater on our waterways and bays. Working with the model,
students address stormwater issues and adapt the city to make it water smart.
Years 3-6
Wetland food chain game
What happens to our food chain when there are too many predators?
Students find out through this interactive game about the food cycle and energy
transfer in our special wetland environments. The game demonstrates the effects
of pollution and predators on the transfer of energy between trophic levels.
Year Level
Activity
Years 3-6
Stormwater story
How does litter and rubbish end up in our rivers and creeks?
Students actively take on roles in a journey down the Yarra River from catchment
to coast, to see how humans impact on the quality of stormwater. Students
discuss different actions that can be taken and the impact on river health.
Years 5-9
What goes where?
Where should household wastes go? What can go onto the compost heap, in the
recycling bin or the rubbish bin? What should go into the sewerage and
stormwater systems?
In this interactive game, student teams debate the answer to these questions.
Years 5-9
Living in a catchment
What is a catchment? What impacts do we have on the catchment we live in?
Students construct a giant jigsaw puzzle in teams to study the factors that affect
water quality. This session facilitates discussion on land use and water quality.
Years 5-9
Water recycling model
How can we use less drinking water?
This session investigates different sources of water including groundwater, potable
water and recycled water. Students discuss what activities can utilise different
sources of water and how we can use less potable water.
Years 7-9
Micro-organisms at work
How do micro-organisms help to treat wastewater?
Students explore the different types and functions of micro-organisms that can be
found throughout the treatment process.
Costs
Group type
Max.
group size
Length
Cost (per
student)
Minimum
fee
Years 3-9
90
1 hour
$3.90
$180
Years 10-12
90
2 hours
$7.80
$180
TAFE, tertiary and
community
30
1 hour
$7.80
$210
2 hours
$11.70
Each educational activity that is additional to a tour is $3.90 per student, per activity.
A one hour tour and one educational activity is $7.80 per student, a one hour tour and two
educational activities is $11.70 per student.
Bookings
Email tours@melbournewater.com.au or phone 8734 4264. Website:
http://melbournewater.com.au/getinvolved/education/programs/WTPtours/Pages/Visit-theWestern-Treatment-Plant.aspx
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Eastern Treatment Plant
The Eastern Treatment Plant is Melbourne’s second biggest
sewage treatment facility, treating around 40% of Melbourne’s
waste water. A two hour session that includes an introductory
presentation and a walking tour of the site is available to
secondary and tertiary groups.
During their tour of the plant, visitors learn about the different
stages of water treatment including sedimentation, ammonia
removal and disinfection. The tour also provides commentary on
the use of biogas for energy generation, the recent tertiary
treatment upgrade and recycled water.
These tours can also be combined with a trip to the EdithvaleSeaford Wetland Education Centre (ESWEC).
The two-hour tours must be pre-booked, and can be arranged at
the following days and times:
 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays
 10am–12pm or 12.30pm–2.30pm
Costs
Group type
Max. group
size
Cost (per
student)
Minimum
fee
Years 7-12
50
$7.80
$180
TAFE and tertiary groups
45
$8.40
$210
Combined tour with ESWEC visit
35* (at ESWEC)
$13.00
$180
Please note tours are not suitable for primary school students.
*ESWEC maximum number includes students, teachers / other supervising adults.
Bookings
Email tours@melbournewater.com.au or phone 8734 4264 to speak to the Education team.
Website: http://melbournewater.com.au/getinvolved/education/programs/ETPtours/Pages/VisitEastern-Treatment-Plant.aspx
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Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands
Education Centre
Completed at the end of 2011, the Edithvale-Seaford
Wetlands Education Centre has been designed with
sustainability in mind and built to meet strict
environmental standards. The centre offers educational
activities closely linked with Victorian Essential
Learning Standards (VELS) and the Australian
curriculum for up to 35 students at one time.
During a two hour session with one of our experienced
educators, students learn about the value and
importance of the wetland to the environment and to
the past and present community. They can also
observe the wildlife in a natural habitat.
Edithvale-Seaford Wetlands Education Centre education sessions
Year Level
Activity
Prep
Feeling alive! – Living and non-living components of the wetland
Students observe the wetland, taking notice of the living and non-living
components. They compare what they see to the school ground environment.
They use a variety of sources to explore and identify what is living and non-living.
Bird dance – Observing the wetland birds
Students spend time observing the behaviours of the birds found at the
wetlands. They consider what makes this area and other natural areas special
for the birdlife. They begin to understand the impact they can have on the
wetland environment and the birds.
Grades
1 and 2
The cycle of life – Lifecycles
Students use the wetlands to explore the lifecycle. Using items collected from the
wetlands students identify the living species it relates to and where that item fits
in that species' lifecycle.
Our water world – The whole water cycle
Students learn about the importance of water to the wetlands and the role of
the wetlands in filtering the water and purifying it before it enters our bay.
They explore the stormwater interactive model and watch the process of water
from catchment to the bay.
Grades
3 and 4
Going batty! – Surveying bats
Students are introduced to the bats that live at the wetland and the ways in which
they are surveyed. Students hear the call of bats recorded locally before
participating in a series of activities focussing on how mother bats find their pups
in the crowded nursery caves.
Why live here? – What makes this location a liveable environment
Students learn about the wetland and consider why this area is a good place to
live? They look at different scenarios of people who use the wetland and animals
that rely on the wetland.
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Year Level
Activity
Grades
5 and 6
Vegetation investigation – Discovering wetland plants
Students begin to understand classification as they group wetland plant samples
according to their similarities. They create a herbarium sample of a wetland plant
to take home with them.
Pardon me, while I change in front of you – Wetland history
Students model changes in the wetland over time as they learn about the history
of the wetlands since the local indigenous tribes to European settlement of the
area and more recent times. Students identify the value of the wetland over time
and how it has changed.
Who’s hungry? – Food chain and food webs
Students explore the natural process of the food chain using creatures of the
wetland. They experience the food chain by playing a game and apply their
learning by creating their own food chain of a wetland creature.
Secondary
Guided viewing platform walk
Students take a short walk with our educators to wetland viewing points and learn
about aspects of wetland, depending on their area of study. This may include:
All
 local biodiversity
 land use and liveability
 outdoor education
 drainage and flood protection
Stormwater interactive model (SIM) – Stormwater in our waterways
The stormwater interactive model is an educational model of an urban catchment
that demonstrates the impact of stormwater on our rivers, creeks and bays.
Self-guided viewing platform walk
Self-guided walks are available for all visitors as an additional independent activity
to your centre visit. Please advise us in advance if you would like to make use of
bird identification or scavenger hunt resources.
Costs
Group type
Max. group size
Cost (per student)
Primary, secondary or tertiary students
35*
$3.90
ESWEC combined with an Eastern Treatment
Plant tour (secondary/tertiary)
35* (50 at ETP)
$13.00
*ESWEC maximum number includes students, teachers / other supervising adults.
Bookings
Email tours@melbournewater.com.au or phone 8734 4264 to speak to the Education team.
Website: http://melbournewater.com.au/getinvolved/education/programs/eswdc/Pages/EdithvaleSeaford-Wetland-Discovery-Centre.aspx
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Melbourne Water Incursions
An experienced Education Officer can visit your school to
deliver Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) and
Australian curriculum linked sessions that focus on the
diversity of our rivers and creeks, water quality and the
natural and urban water cycles.
Each incursion session is run by one of our experienced
Education Officers and goes for 45 minutes.
The maximum group size per session is 30 students.
A description of the sessions and the relevant AusVELS level is
listed below.
Incursion sessions
Year Level
Activity
Foundation
– Level 2
Growing and Changing
Introducing students to frogs and their lifecycles. Students learn about our local
frogs and the different sounds they make.
Meet the waterbugs
Students study aquatic macro-invertebrates (waterbugs) to see what they look
like and how they move. Students sort waterbugs according to common features
and characteristics including colour, size, shape and movement.
Water cycle puzzles
An activity to introduce students to the natural water cycle. Students investigate
where water comes from and how it ends up in our waterways and bays.
Land use in a catchment
Introducing students to the concept of a catchment. Using the ‘Water Smart City’
model, students investigate what lives in a catchment and the many ways we use
water in our catchment.
Stormwater story
Students participate in a catchment story. The session demonstrates the
connection between the stormwater system, the health of river and marine
environments, and actions to reduce environmental impacts.
Levels
3 to 4
The life of macro-invertebrates
Students explore the structure and function of aquatic macro-invertebrates in their
juvenile and adult forms. Students also discuss how these animals are an
important indicator of water quality.
Turbidity and erosion
This session investigates the causes of increased turbidity and possible effects on
aquatic life. This session is an introduction to testing the less visible forms of
pollution affecting a waterway.
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Year Level
Activity
Water smart cities
Explore stormwater and pollution in the Lego city! Students are introduced to
impacts of stormwater on our waterways and bays. Working with the model,
students address stormwater issues and adapt the city to make it water smart.
Stormwater story
Students participate in a catchment story. The session demonstrates the
connection between the stormwater system, the health of river and marine
environments, and actions to reduce environmental impacts.
Levels
5 to 6
Waterbugs, how they get their oxygen
Students learn about macro-invertebrates unique adaptations. Students discover
the structure and function of various macroinvertebrate breathing apparatuses,
while sorting and identifying a live sample. Students also discuss how these
animals are an important indicator of water quality.
Increased nutrients in the waterway
Explores the impact of increased nutrients on our waterways. Students link
phosphates to grey water, and the impact of stormwater on our waterways.
Students assess the quality of a water sample through testing for phosphate.
Water smart cities
Explore stormwater and pollution in the Lego city! Students are introduced to
impacts of stormwater on our waterways and bays. Working with the model,
students address stormwater issues and adapt the city to make it water smart.
Stormwater story
Students participate in a catchment story. The session demonstrates the
connection between the stormwater system, the health of river and marine
environments, and actions to reduce environmental impacts.
Levels
7 to 8
Classifying macro-invertebrates
Students will classify macro-invertebrates by their observable structural features.
Students will learn how to use a dichotomous key to identify aquatic organisms.
Turbidity and electrical conductivity
Exploring the effect of turbidity and electrical conductivity (a measure of salinity)
on water quality in our rivers and creeks. Student use scientific equipment to
measure these two water quality parameters.
Water smart cities
Explore stormwater and pollution in the Lego city! Students are introduced to
impacts of stormwater on our waterways and bays. Working with the model,
students address stormwater issues and adapt the city to make it water smart.
Levels
9 to 10
Local waterway field trip (excursion)
Prepare and guide students in undertaking a habitat assessments. Activities may
include conducting a transect survey, water quality testing and/or the use a
macro-invertebrate sample as an indicator of water quality.
Other activities by enquiry.
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Costs
Incursion type
Max. group size
Cost
Half day (one – three sessions)
30 per session
$500.00
Full day (four – six sessions)
30 per session
$750.00
Bookings
Email education@melbournewater.com.au or phone 8734 4264 to speak to the Education team.
Website: http://melbournewater.com.au/getinvolved/education/programs/Pages/River-healthincursions.aspx
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