Drinking Water Activity For High School Outreach Program

Environmental engineering needs to recruit more students to meet the high demand projected for the profession. Interest may be on the upswing, as noted by increased freshmen enrollments at the University of Colorado at Boulder. During the High School Honors Institute (HSHI) in 2007, a new activity on drinking water was introduced in an effort to make students aware of the importance of environmental engineering in daily life. A pre-survey was given in the first morning session to stimulate student thinking on the topic. This survey indicated that of the 37 students, 32 frequently drank tap water or tap water with further treatment, and 12 frequently drank bottled water. The most significant factor influencing this choice was convenience, followed by taste, cost, and perceived safety. About half of the students did not know the source of origin of the water that they drank most often. These survey results were then incorporated into an activity later in the day and used to assign students to research different waters: a municipal tap water derived from surface water, a municipal tap water derived from ground water, and two different bottled waters. In the course of the activity, the students looked at factors that influence the quality of the water – both at the source, through various treatment processes, and during transport and storage. For example, the leaching of toxic chemicals from plastic bottles was discussed, and many of the students indicated that they were previously unaware of this potential hazard. Students also evaluated the taste of the various waters. The activity as designed was too long to fit into the hour timeslot, and modifications are recommended to shorten it and retain the most interesting parts. Results from student evaluations are included. Even if students do not choose to major in environmental engineering, all citizens should be interested in the safety and environmental impacts of their choices regarding drinking water.