Place a glass under your kitchen faucet and turn it on. Watch as the glass fills and examine the water quality. Likely, it is clean and clear. You can drink it, wash dishes with it, water plants, and more. But do you know where is this water came from? 

If you live in a municipality, your water is likely sourced from either surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) or groundwater (springs, wells). It then travels to you by way of a water treatment facility and complex system of pipes.

Research this system and create a map of your water’s journey. Follow it from start to you. Learn where your water comes from and where it “stops” along the way.

Many city and county websites have information about tap water; these sites are a great place to start! Allow this process to spur research into your area’s water treatment, conservation, and distribution.

What happens to the water that goes down the drain?

How is your freshwater source replenished?

How is your water conserved?

Does your area use water for any other reasons, like power?

Share your water map! Post an image, drawing, or writing, and tag us @drylab2023.

Sources:

Drinking Water and Source Water Research