Water In Your Home

Objective: Students will be able to identify the structure of their home water system.

Materials: Water in Your Home Student Sheet; graph paper (1 sheet per student)

Background: Most water delivery systems in the home are very similar. There is a water source
complete with a shut-of valve for emergencies. Water will go to a heating source (water
heater). The water system then becomes parallel hot and cold water supply pipes which
should be evident by touch and pipe materials. The water system must be vented to prevent
air locks. The cold water supply will enter certain fixtures such as a toilet and perhaps
outside faucets. Most implements will have a parallel hot and cold system to sinks, washers,
showers, tubs, etc. These fixtures will have shut-off valves also.

The wastewater system or drainage system (sewer) collects unused water or wastewater from
the plumbing fixtures and floor drains. The wastewater exits the house through waste lines
into the sewer system or septic system. Waste lines will have clean-out vents and air vents.

Procedure:
Send a letter home with the students to seek a cooperative family effort to this home activity.
This should be done one week in advance of the activity.

Prepare a display area in the classroom for students to share their diagrams.

Lead a pre-activity discussion to determine what students know about water in their homes.

Ask the students to tell and predict how much water their family uses in a day. You may want
to record their guesses.

Encourage the students to be a family leader in the home activity.

When students return with their activity sheet complete, review the questions under each
section.

After completing the activity, have students share their experiences with finding water leaks
in their home and how each solved the "leaky" problem.

Extensions:
Have your class make a list of suggestions on how to conserve water in the classroom and
water in your school. Create posters for the school hallways using ideas from the list of
suggestions.

Brainstorm with the class ways pioneers had to conserve water. Have them compare the past
to the present and devise ways to be water conversationalists for the future. Have students
list five things they could each do, starting today, to conserve water or to keep water
unpolluted. Collect the lists and place in a "time capsule". Share the lists with them at a later
date.

Cut 8.5 x 11" sheets of paper into three pieces. Give each student one piece and have them
design a bumper sticker with the theme of water conservation.

Have students write various short poems that express one of their feelings about water and
the importance of water conservation.

Vocabulary Glossary:
Home Water System: The series of pipes, valves and objects that deliver water throughout a
home
Roof Vent: An area on the roof of a home that allows steam and other gases to escape
Shut-off Valve: Valves that allow water to be shut-off during an emergency
Water Meter: A device that measures water usage in the home
Water Trap: The part of a water pipe that "traps" objects, sediment, etc. and also aids in
keeping gasses from backing up into the home
Water Source: The location where the water system enters the home.
Water Valves: Valves in the home that allows water to flow through the water system

Activity source: CCWCD's Water Wise Colorado