Topics:
Today will focus on water sources with visits to the City of Jackson Water Treatment Facility, followed by exploration of groundwater teaching resources at Grand Valley State University. We will participate in the following activities and discussions:
-Hydrologic cycle
-Choice of water sources - bottled vs. tap
-Where does water come from in Grand Rapids?
-What is the impact of the Ice Mountain Water facility? Impact to volume of surface water? Temperature? Fish habitat?
-Groundwater flow models
-Measure Rates
-Artesian model
Resources
Michigan Water Science Center (USGS)
Groundwater in Michigan by Mattox and Prough
P. Riemersma, GVSU Geology
Perspectives on Water Usage in Michigan and the Geology of the Ice Mountain Site
Steve Mattox and Kenny King
Conceptual Change in Physical Geography and Environmental Sciences
through Mental Model Building: The Example of Groundwater
Sibylle Reinfried
City of Grand Rapids Water Quality Index
Survey from Students’ perception of the Water Cycle, Journal of Geoscience Education
Ben-zvi-Assarf and Orion
Misconceptions
1.People drink bottled water because it is better for our health; the safety of tap water is below consumption standards.
2.The use of plastic bottles for bottled water is safe; the plastic does not transfer chemicals to the drinking water.
3.Bottled water is perceived as cleaner than tap water; the standards by which bottled water is graded are much higher than tap water.
4.It is a good thing for bottled water drinkers that refill their bottles repeatedly.
5.When bottled water is labeled as coming from “pure, still water,” it means it has to come from water that is pure and still.
How is water supplied to my community?
