Did you know that the water that goes down a storm drain does not get cleaned? Instead, it flows directly into local creeks, and eventually to the San Francisco Bay. Learn how pollutants damage bodies of water and what can be done to prevent pollution. Students will learn where storm drains flow within the city, and find out about unacceptable discharges to the storm drains.

What happens to the water that goes down the drain when you wash your hands, do laundry, or flush the toilet? The Livermore Water Reclamation Plant processes more than six million gallons of wastewater each day. Learn what a wastewater treatment plant does, and where the treated wastewater goes. Students also learn about "recycled" water and how it is used within the City of Livermore.

Can you throw empty paint cans into the trash? How about the burnt-out fluorescent light from the kitchen? What is the right thing to do with used motor oil after changing the oil in the car? Learn about some hazardous household products, and how to properly dispose of them. Students will also learn about non-hazardous alternatives for some common household products.

This program is a five-day hands-on lab that simulates the physical, biological, and chemical steps used to treat wastewater. Each step is directly modeled after real-life wastewater treatment operations. Students will have the opportunity to view microorganisms under microscopes, measure the pH, turbidity, ammonia level, and chemical oxygen demand of wastewater, and compare their results to EPA effluent standards.

This program was developed by local high school teachers and wastewater professionals. Teachers are provided with all the necessary lab supplies, 40-page student workbooks, and a teacher guidebook. The Water Resources Division can also provide staff to teach the program.