Introduction
Three Simple Facts:
1. Water is becoming scarce around the world.
2.Southern California is experiencing a record drought.
3. The City of San Diego is seeking ways to recycle used water for drinking and use
What do you mean by "used" water? (We knew you'd catch that)
Used water is water that goes down our drains.
As in toilet water?
Well, yes. Got your attention? Good.
Task
Toilet water sounds so... well disgusting.
We get that. We can tell you the science involved in recyling used water, and we will. (That's kinda important). But, your actual quest will be to understand the science, form an opinion, create a podcast, and then evaluate how your opinion changes or holds firm when exposed to other's opinions.
Why does this quest matter?
So glad you asked. The technology that purifies used water is amazing and the water ends up being just as clean as the bottled water people guzzle down. Even if you are convinced of that, what other people think of drinking "toilet water" may sway your own fact-based opinion, and instead of you being a water superhero, you may just put your tail between your legs and move on. We don't want that, and we're guessing neither do you.
Process
We get it. You want to express yourself. AKA follow your own learning style. So, take your pick from the podcast creator roles below and form a group that consists of one person from each of the following:
Researcher: (1-2 people or collaborate with the Writer) The researcher will dig up facts, watch informative videos, and take notes on the relevant material. You might be a researcher if you find yourself constantly storing tidbits of information in your brain. Think magazines, cereal boxes and the occasional gum wrapper. You know who you are.
Technology Advisor: The tech advisor needs to understand computer programs and audio software and can explain the process to others. You might be a techie if you mastered Photoshop in a week, tutor others in media class, or if you occasionally imagine your wrist watch is a portal to a new cyberspace world (only when you're bored of course).
Writer: The writer will utilize the researchers work to write an informative (and entertaining) persuasive transcript for use as a podcast. If you're a writer and have read through the above descriptions, you will undoubtedly have already come up with your own creative description. Let's just say you're a word nerd. No shame in that.
Creative Director: The creative director will be charged with listening to sample podcasts, editing the transcript, and directing the podcast host. You're probably a director type if you catch odd moments in movies and know what you would have had the actors do differently. Hint: Great directors know how to give out orders that sound like fun suggestions.
Podcast Host: The host of the podcast will read the transcript utilizing audio software and make a compelling reading for the SD Water Purification Project. Calling all funny guys and gals, and those not afraid of a little microphone and the sound of their own voice.
Evaluation
What did we learn, how do we feel and what do others have to say?
By now, your group has formed opinions about this exciting new technology to purify used water. Now, its time to test how solid you feel about this technology against some real naysayers.
Group Tasks:
1. Scan news articles on the San Diego Water Purification Project. Search with alternatives words that you've learned from your research and podcast project.
2. Read through the comments at the bottom of the news articles and identify negative comments that suggest the "toilet water" sentiment. (Don't forget to cite your sources when you collect the comments into one document)
3. Have each group member record five comments each to share with the others.
Group Reflection Questions:
Do these comments affect the groups opinion of the purity of the water?
Do you support the San Diego Water Purification Project?
Conclusion
The Exciting Conclusion
By now your group has learned most of what there is to know about the San Diego Water Purification Project. You have delivered a slam dunk podcast, and despite the exhaustion, you're pumped to share your creativity with your community.
How you ask? (You knew that was coming)
1. Take your podcast to the next level and submit it for consideration to local environmentally themed blogs and websites.
2. Create and analyze an online survey to find out how your school community views recycling used water?
Try this free online software: www.surveymonkey.com
3. Volunteer at local organizations that promote water sustainability.
San Diego Coastkeeper: www.sdcoastkeeper.org
I Love a Clean San Diego: www.ilacsd.org
San Diego River Park Foundation: www.sandiegoriver.org
4. Conserve Water!
Water Use it Wisely: 100+ Ways to Conserve
http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/
Credits
Photo Credits: San Diego Government
Teacher Page
Teachers Resources
Schedule a Tour
Essential to the project is a guided tour of the San Diego Water Purification Project. Register online for a free group tour.
Understanding the Issue
The city of San Diego now sources over 80% of its water supply from outside areas, and extractions from the Colorado River, as just one example, have severely depleted this river causing major damage ecologically (Richter et al., 2013).
According to the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA) the city began using recycled water from its wastewater treatment plants for landscape and golf courses in the late 90s. As early as 1997, the San Diego Water Purification Project was being discussed and planned.From 2009 to 2013 the Water Purification Project set out to use advanced technology, on a demonstrative scale, to implement and test the outcomes of the intended reclamation. Findings were very positive, but there is still much work to be done in regards to public perception.
Understanding the Technology
[img_assist|nid=24916|title=Process|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=461|height=277]
1. Membrane Filtration: Membrane Filtration is what one might imagine it to be with a semi-permeable layer of material that separates contaminants by acting as a barrier. The utilization of two membrane sizes, allows for a two step barrier process.
2. Reverse Osmosis: Pressure is applied to the water with a higher concentration of materials and contaminants, effectively filteringsquishing the useable water through a membrane to the diluted water, leaving the contaminants as waste. RO has been found over many years of testing to be effective for keeping out viruses and parasites, and the multiple-barriers also removes microbes while being monitored in real-time (Richardson & Trussell, 1997). RO has also been found to be cost-effective and very reliable in removing unwanted material such as salts and trace contaminants (Stover, 2014).
3. UV/Advanced Oxidatin: Ultraviolet (UV) light with hydrogen peroxide destroys contaminants by literally changing the hydrogen peroxide into compounds, or hydroxyl radicals, that attack and decompose the contaminants. The UV light also disinfects the water.
Richardson, T., & Trussell, R. (1997). Taking the plunge. Civil Engineering (08857024),
6742-45.
Richter, B. D., Abell, D., Bacha, E., Brauman, K., Calos, S., Cohn, A., & ... Siegfried, E. (2013).
Tapped out: how can cities secure their water future? Water Policy, 15(3), 335-363.
Stover, R. r. (2014). A Primer on Reverse Osmosis Technology. Chemical Engineering, 121(7),
38-44.
Everything you wanted to know about assessing group work from peer evaluations