Lesson 11: Potable Water

Most adults have heard the phrase “Water, water, everywhere but never a drop to drink.” It doesn’t matter how much water we have if it isn’t drinkable. This lesson explains how we clean dirty water and how we can reuse water that has been reclaimed.

Unfortunately, the printed and broadcast news is full of examples of ways humans have polluted our water supply. There is very little that your students can do to prevent these environmental accidents, but this lesson will help them understand how water resources are damaged by these accidents.

1. Have students read parts 1 and 2 to find out what “potable” means.

2. Ask discussion questions for part 1:

• What word was the author thinking you might confuse with potable?
• What would make potable water change into undrinkable water?
• Where does wastewater go after it goes down your drain?

3. Have a student explain the illustration of the septic system in part 1.

4. Ask discussion question for part 2:

• What can be done to wastewater to make it reusable?

5. Have a student explain the illustration of a wastewater treatment plant in part 2.

6. Have students read part 3 to find out how water is reused.

Ask discussion questions for part 3:

• In what ways can we use reclaimed water?
• What is meant by “sludge”?
• Why is it important that treated wastewater meet certain standards set by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)?

7. Have students explain the illustration in part 3.

8. Have students read parts 4, 5 and 6 to find out how water can become polluted. Ask discussion questions:

(part 4)

• What are the two main types of water pollution?
• What does “point source” mean?
• What types of pollution can you help prevent?

9. Have a student explain the illustration in part 4.

10. Ask discussion questions:

(part 5)

• What is the main source of nonpoint source pollution?

(part 6)

• Have you ever heard of “acid rain”?
• How does pollution in water affect plants and animals?

11. Have students read “Imagine that!” in part 4 and discuss.

12. Ask a student to explain the illustration in part 5. Ask what the body of water in the illustration would be called. (retention pond)

13. Have a student read aloud “Don’t go near the water!” and discuss with the class. Allow time for students to share stories they may have heard about wildlife living in retention ponds. Ask students if they have ever seen a retention pond.

14. Have a student explain the illustration at the bottom of part 6.

15. Have students name different types of water pollution. Write this list on the chalkboard. Have the students label each form as “Pollution I can prevent” or “Pollution I can’t prevent.”

FCAT-style questions based on the content of Lesson 11 have been prepared to assist students in preparing for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

• Lesson 11 FCAT-Style Questions
• FCAT Reading Rubric
• Sample Responses

1. Divide class into cooperative groups. Give each group a poster board and art supplies. Have students draw a line down one side of the board dividing the page into two parts. Label one side “Irresponsible water use” and the other side “Responsible water use.” Have students cut examples of water use from magazines or have them draw their own examples. Display the finished posters in a prominent place. Have one member from each group explain one illustration or drawing.

2. FCAT-Style Questions, Lesson 11 Online Quiz or Lesson 11 Quiz worksheets may be used.*

1. Have students navigate to the Lesson 11 Experiment, “Clean it up.”

2. Divide class into cooperative groups and have them read “What you will learn,” “What you will need” and “Here is what you do.”

3. Have each student begin the Make A Prediction lab report worksheet.

4. Have students do the experiment “Clean it up” and answer the questions in “What do you think?”

5. Have students complete and discuss the Make A Prediction lab report worksheet.

6. Have students read and discuss “Make a difference!”

7. Have students read and discuss “Where is your water treated?” Be sure to request your wastewater treatment speaker well in advance of the lesson.

Answers for the FCAT-style questions and the online and offline quizzes can be downloaded at answers.html. The quiz answer keys are password-protected. You can obtain the password by registering via a short form.