Water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink

Most of us take water for granted, but less than 1% of the water worldwide is drinkable. Of course, water can be used in many water: brainstorm all the possible uses of water! That can start your adventure in finding out about water and the problems that are associated with the lack or quality of water. It can sometimes be hard to swallow.  And, unlike the weather, you CAN do something about it.


CONNECT:
+ Where does water come from? What happens to it? Find out about the real flow of water at http://water.nationalacademies.org/basics_part_2.shtml
+ Where does water go – and where is it scarce? You can find out the water situation in 193 countries, thanks to the United Nations Water Assessment Program
http://www.greenfacts.org/en/water-resources/index.htm
+ The Peace Corps has collected hundreds of pictures and stories about water, focusing on Africa: http://wws.peacecorps.gov/wws/educators/enrichment/africa/resources/index.html
+ Have you ever thought of water as a lethal weapon (beyond a balloon water “bomb”)? People have had conflicts over water for thousands of years. The Pacific Institute provides a timeline and map about water as a weapon, a military target, and a terrorist tool: http://www.worldwater.org/conflict.html
+ Did you know that more than twenty diseases are connected to water? Lenntech  lists waterborne diseases and  treatment solutions.
http://www.lenntech.com/library/diseases/diseases/waterborne-diseases.htm

CREATE:
+ The National Parks WebRangers site has 8 interactive activities about water, from rip currents to water quality. Just type in WATER in the search box at http://www.nps.gov/webrangers/.
+ You can go to a virtual water science school at http://ga.water.usgs.gov/edu/. This site is available in English, Spanish, and Chinese.
+ What causes water pollution: What kinds of water pollution exist, and what are their dangers? And how can you prevent and treat water pollution? Find the answers at http://www.water-pollution.org.uk/
+ Make up a trivia game by incorporating these Interesting facts about water: http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/interesting-water-facts/
+ Reinvent the toilet, and compare your ideas with this Gates Foundation project:
http://www.gatesfoundation.org/watersanitationhygiene/Pages/home.aspx

CARE:
+ Your family should be prepared in case of water-related crises. Here are directions for a family emergency kit: http://emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/
+ Learn how to be a good pool citizen at
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=50298
+ Project River Keepers shows you how to investigate the quality of water in a nearby river. You can also join the “Adopt Your Watershed” campaign in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency: http://www2.gsu.edu/~mstjrh/riverkeepers.html
+ The EPA has several other ways that you can protect water at home and in the community: http://www2.epa.gov/learn-issues/water
+ Create your own storm water education campaign, focuses on who to prevent polluted storm water. The Water Environment Federation has free online resources to help you get started: http://www.wef.org/communications/

CAREERS:
Think that a job involving water is “all wet”? Think again!
+ The Water Resources Program as Spokane Community College lists examples of water-related careers: http://www.scc.spokane.edu/?waterres
+ Water for Jobs shows how water infrastructure impacts jobs  http://www.waterforjobs.org/
+ EPA Office of Water offers several  careers that make a difference: http://water.epa.gov/aboutow/careers/index.cfm