This demonstration should follow a class discussion on potential sources of pollution to drinking water supplies. To illustrate how water is stored in an aquifer, how ground water can become contaminated, and how this contamination ends up in a drinking water well. Ultimately, students should get a clear understanding of how careless use and disposal of harmful contaminants above the ground can potentially end up in the drinking water below the ground. This particular experiment can be done by each student at their work station.

Demonstrate and explain evaporation as part of the water cycle.

This video segment adapted from Last Oasis highlights the impact of a variety of water conservation efforts including installing low-flow toilets and planting grass that does not require a lot of water.

A Day in the Life of a Drop is a set of activities designed to help students in grades 3-5 understand the connections between the source of the water they use and the ways their water use habits affect the environment and human health. Students also learn how to reduce their impacts and engage family members. After completing the worksheets provided, students and families take the Pledge to Filter Out Bad Water Habits to demonstrate their commitment to saving water for the future.

Demonstrate and explain ground water movement and how it can be a source of drinking water.

Demonstrate and explain what happens to water when it leaves your home

This innovative project offers a way for students to learn about environmental alternatives by modifying their own lifestyles. It is a three-week exercise for students to reduce their impact on the environment by changing the way in which they live from day to day. This website contains an article about the Lifestyle Project and all the materials needed to teach the project. Materials include a baseline quiz, worksheets, energy facts and figures, and an Excel spreadsheet for students to calculate their energy use. By participating in this project, students will gain first hand insights about energy conservation, water conservation and waste reduction.

This segment from a WPSU documentary Liquid Assets succinctly explains how water in New York journeys from its source to our faucets. Although water flows under our feet everyday, we are blissfully unaware of this service and take it for granted.

This video segment from a WPSU documentary Liquid Assets explains the problem that the city of Pittsburgh faces in terms of its watershed management and the work being done by an environment group in helping its citizens deal with it.

The urban and rural activities of our complex social system aimed toward comfort and progress also have harmful side effects. This segment from a WPSU documentary Liquid Assets describes how the water resources of one city are suffering from these.

This video segment from a WPSU documentary Liquid Assets connects public health to the availability of clean and safe drinking water and elaborates on the threats our bodies face due to increasing kinds and quantities of pollutants.

This video from a WPSU documentary Liquid Assets shows the transformation of Las Vegas’ water infrastructure. A desert community, Las Vegas is reducing water consumption and re-using wastewater, making optimal use of limited water resources.

Water is a resource precious to so many people for so many reasons. Reckless use and abuse of this treasure can leave all at the mercy of diseases and scarcity. This segment of a WPSU documentary Liquid Assets describes how the rule of law can prevent this from happening.

These four resource guides came out of a lecture series entitled: "Living with Biodiversity: What You Can Really Do for the Environment" held at the American Museum of Natural History in the fall of 1998. Sponsored by the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, the programs addressed how our everyday decisions - from what we eat and drink to what we buy - affect biodiversity and provided practical tips for becoming a "green" consumer.

In this lesson, students share opinions about the causes and effects of droughts. They then investigate and prepare public information campaigns supporting water conservation in their community.

Looking at water, you might think that it's the most simple thing around. Pure water is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. But it's not at all simple and plain and it is vital for all life on Earth. Where there is water there is life, and where water is scarce, life has to struggle or just "throw in the towel."

So what is it about water that makes it so important to us? And what is it about water that makes it water? This section of Water Science for Schools explores the physical and chemical properties of water and why water is so critical to living things.

This video segment adapted from Last Oasis shows the challenges Mexico City faces in providing enough water for its growing population. As a result of over pumping of its ground water, some parts of the city are sinking 12 inches a year.

We offer information on many aspects of water, along with pictures, data, maps, and an interactive center where you can give opinions and test your water knowledge. Looking at water, you might think that it's the most simple thing around. Pure water is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. But it's not at all simple and plain and it is vital for all life on Earth. Where there is water there is life, and where water is scarce, life has to struggle or just "throw in the towel." So what is it about water that makes it so important to us? And what is it about water that makes it water? This section of Water Science for Schools explores the physical and chemical properties of water and why water is so critical to living things.

This taste test will illustrate the differences between ground water and surface water, highlight some of the common contaminants in natural water, and encourage student thought on the sources of drinking water. This test should follow a class discussion on the possible sources of water for the community.