H20 Chelsea Water Research Program - Our Goal: "To develop a better understanding of ground and surface water resources in Chelsea that will inform municipal planning and management descisions."

Day 8

Distribution of Water in Cities and How Much It Costs

Have students discuss in groups how they think city water gets to homes and businesses after it has been treated. Regroup and share ideas. (5 min)

Points to mention when discussion is finished: (5 min)

To save energy, treatment plants, reservoirs and tanks are usually put on high ground. Gravity moves the water through pipes to customers. Pumps are used to pull the water up from the aquifers. Pumps sometimes help water move up hills or steep areas.

Water travels through large pipes called mains. In some cities the amount of water that flows through these mains is controlled by computers. Large valves are also used to control the water. They are just like giant faucet handles. They can shut off the water at important points. If a main breaks or other problems occur, the water can be shut off until repairs are made.

Distribute and examine water bills, Appendix 11A and Appendix 11B.

Explain how people are billed. Answer questions so students understand the bill, then ask students “What do you notice?”

Have students compare amounts of water used in the different months.

Notice how the usage of water increases in the summer months.

What could be the reasons for such a leap in usage in June 2004? (i.e. Swimming pools, more showers, lawn and garden watering…)

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