Water Conservation Wizard Teacher Guide

Water Conservation Wizard
TEACHER GUIDE and ANSWER KEY
448-4800
www.csu.org
Colorado Springs Utilities developed the Water Conservation Wizard student workbook activity to promote
water awareness and conservation among the youth in our community. Thank you for completing this activity
with your students.
Objectives:
• Students will understand that water is a
limited resource with environmental and
economic value.
• Students will gain an understanding of where
their local water supply comes from and how
it is used.
• Students will use applied math to calculate
savings as result of water conservation.
• Students will learn water saving habits and
understand that they can make a difference in
protecting our water resources.
Time Commitment:
Student workbook:
1. 50 minute class period to introduce the
project and complete the workbook.
2. Homework to test toilets for leaks.
3. 20 minutes class time to report toilet
testing results, calculate class water savings
and enter data on-line at https://www.
surveymonkey.com/s/ToiletLeaks.
Extensions (Optional):
1. Water Wizard Certificate (15 minutes to
print, distribute, and discuss).
Materials:
Colorado Springs Utilities will provide materials to
include:
• Teacher guide; 1 per teacher.
• Student workbooks;* 1per student.
* Student workbooks are available
electronically on our website: www.csu.
org as an interactive PDF or teachers can
request a hard copy.
• Toilet leak testing dye tablets; 1 per student
• Shower timers (while supplies last); 1 per
student
Standards:
Colorado Springs Utilities has aligned this
STEM-based activity with Colorado Department
of Education Academic Standards for Science
and Social Studies to meet Prepared Graduate
Competencies:
• Describe how humans are dependent on the
diversity of resources provided by Earth and
Sun.
• Understand the allocation of scarce resources
in societies through analysis of individual
choice, market interaction, and public policy.
2. My Usage on-line tool (15 minutes).
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4. Shower timer savings worksheet
(homework—family data gathering for 1
week; 20 minutes to calculate water use).
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3. Water Footprint Calculator (20 minutes).
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Instructions:
Introduce the subject of water use with a preassessment discussion session. Ask students where
their water comes from, and brainstorm how they
use water.
• You may want to show this short 3½ minute
video about the Colorado Springs Utilities
water system: “Where Colorado Springs
Water Comes From—Our Water Story” at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpDDr
GwPlRc&feature=share&list=PL74C0959D8
4E7BA62.
Distribute the Student Workbook and provide an
overview of what the students will do. Sections of
the workbook cover the following topics:
Section 1 – Water Availability: How much of
Earth’s water is fresh and available for humans to
use; the Water Cycle, clean water in the world.
Section 2 – Colorado Springs Water Supply: Most
of the water used in town is imported from the
western slope of Colorado; the Colorado River
watershed is the primary source of our water;
citizens are the first-users of the water; after we use
the water it gets cleaned and flows past 200 other
communities before reaching the Gulf of Mexico.
Section 3 – Water Use: How much water does the
average person use, and for what is the majority of
the water used.
Section 4 – Water Conservation: Students and their
families can conserve water by changing water use
habits and installing high-efficiency fixtures in the
bathroom.
Section 5 – How Much Money Can You Save?
Calculate the cost of water, wastewater and natural
gas saved if following conserving habits and
upgrading to high-efficiency fixtures.
Section 6 – Take Action! A classroom challenge
to find “silent” toilet leaks. Distribute the shower
coach and toilet dye tabs. Instructions for mounting
the shower coach and checking the toilet for leaks
are included in the packaging.
• Have students write their toilet testing data on
the enclosed postcard to bring back to class for
a class tally.
• Enter the class toilet testing data in the
workbook under Section 6 and on-line
at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/
ToiletLeaks.
• At the end of each semester, Utilities will
post city-wide school results of this challenge.
Check back at www.csu.org and go to the
Education Resources page to see how your
class has contributed to overall, city-wide
water savings.
Optional Extensions:
Water Conservation Wizard Pledge Certificate
Attached is a Water Conservation Wizard
Certificate. Students may read through the Water
Conservation Wizard pledge and discuss why saving
water is important. Students should check all water
savings ideas to which they can commit.
Technology Connection – MyUsage Tool
Determine your actual household water, electricity
and natural gas use by logging onto www.csu.org
and using the free My Usage on-line tool.*
*Your family must have an account with Colorado
Springs Utilities, and students must have parental
permission and log-in information to gain access.
The MyUsage tool allows you to track and graph
real data for family water, electric and natural gas
use. Students can set parameters to view data
on a daily, weekly or monthly time period. In
addition, an average use marker for the zip code
area is included to see how they measure up to their
neighbors.
Technology Connection – How Much Water Do
You Use? – Water Use Calculator
• http://www.home-water-works.org/calculator
An interactive, easy-to-use water use
calculator showing water use in each room of
the house; includes tips for sustainability.
Shower Timer Worksheet – Family Encounter
Using a Shower Timer
Print the attached worksheet for your students to
determine their shower flow rate and family water
savings by taking shorter showers.
2
My Usage
Start monitoring
your use today!
• Select the dates
and uƟlity service
you want to see
for quick and easy
graphing.
• Understand your
daily consumpƟon
and adjust your
usage before you
get your bill.
• IdenƟfy abnormal/
high consumpƟon
and possible leaks.
• Data download
capability with
most browsers.
• The community
conservaƟon goal
lets you see how
your average
compares to the
same calendar
month and Ɵme
frame last year.
• Plus, easy access
to free tools such
as conservaƟon
Ɵps, rebate
opƟons, energy
audits and water
calculators.
The first step to saving money
My Usage is a tool that provides access to your
daily electric, natural gas and water consumption
24 hours a day, seven days a week.
My Usage is a free service to help you better
understand how and when you are using energy
and water before you receive your bill.
Knowing how much you are using on a daily basis
is the first step to reducing your consumption
and, ultimately, your bill.
1. After you login to My Account, click
the My Usage link to the left.
WHAT’S ON THE GRAPH?
• Total Consumption for the time period you
are reviewing is calculated at the bottom of
the graph. Know how much you have used
for any given time period!
• Average Daily Usage is shown at the bottom
of the graph for the given time period. This
number helps you understand your average
consumption daily.
• Your Goal line displays your personal
savings target. By hovering on the goal line
you can compare your target against your
actual average daily usage.
2. Select property
and utility service.
3. Choose the date range to view.
4. Select “Show My Usage” to view a
graph or download a spreadsheet.
TRACK YOUR USE
AND START SAVING
All you need to access
the free My Usage tool
is an online account.
Simply visit csu.org
and login or sign up
today!
• Hover over a line to see the date and measured consumption.
• The green line reflects the community’s 30% savings goal
compared to 2012 water use.
• Total consumption and average daily use for the dates selected
is displayed below the graph.
www.csu.org
3
Water Conservation Wizard Student Workbook Answer Key
Section 1 – Water Availability
Section 2 – Colorado Springs Water Supply
The oceans hold about 97% of all Earth’s
water, which is saline. That leaves how
much as fresh water? 3%.
Which watershed supplies the most water to town?
The Colorado River (75%)
MATH EXTENSION: How many gallons would
that be? 352,670,000,000,000,000,000 x
0.03% = 105,801,000,000,000 gallons
Water weighs 8.34 pounds per gallon. If 2
buckets each held 3 gallons of water, how
much would that weigh? 6 X 8.34 = 50.04 lbs
True or False: Scientists believe about the
same amount of water exists on Earth today
as when water was first formed billions of
years ago. Explain your answer: TRUE. Water
is matter, and by the laws of physics, matter
is not destroyed. The water molecule (H2O)
continuously changes between solid, liquid
and gas states during the processes of the
Water Cycle - Evaporation, Condensation
and Precipitation.
Section 4 – Water Conservation
Describe where Colorado Springs water goes after it is used in
houses or buildings:
Wastewater travels through sanitary sewer pipes to one of
two Utilities Water Resource Recovery Facilities where the
solids and liquids are separated and treated. 90% of the
reclaimed water is released to Fountain Creek where it flows
south to the Arkansas River. Many communities downstream
depend on this water. The remaining 10% of cleaned water
is used in town for non-potable (non-drinking) uses such as
watering City parks and golf courses.
Section 3 – Water Use
From this pie chart, for what is most water used? Landscaping
and outdoor use
Which room in the house uses the most water? Bathroom
What percentage is used in the bathroom for toilets and
showers/baths combined? 26%
How much water is lost in leaks? 7%
How much water do you use each day? 97 gallons
Do you think it is important to conserve (use less) water? Why, or why not?
Yes, it is important to conserve water because Colorado Springs is a semi-arid climate with a limited amount
of water available for all types of uses such as agricultural, domestic, industrial and recreational. In order for
everyone to have enough, we must share the water and use it wisely.
5 min at 2.5 gpm* flow
rate = 12.5 gallons
Typical Use with High
Efficiency Fixtures
8 min at 1.5 gpm* flow
rate = 12 gallons
Conserving Habits with
High Efficiency Fixtures
5 min at 1.5 gpm* flow
rate = 7.5 gallons
Water running
4 min at 2 gpm* flow rate
= 8 gallons
Water turned off except
to rinse
2 min at 2 gpm* flow rate
= 4 gallons
Aerator installed, water
running
4 min at 1.5 gpm* flow
rate = 6 gallons
Water turned off, aerator
installed
2 min at 1.5 gpm* flow
rate = 3 gallons
Brushing Teeth
(2 brushings per
day)
Water running
2 min at 2 gpm* flow rate
= 4 gallons
Water turned off except
to rinse
1 min at 2 gpm* flow rate
= 2 gallons
Aerator installed, water
running
2 min at 1.5 gpm* flow
rate = 3 gallons
Water turned off, aerator
installed
1 min at 1.5 gpm* flow
rate = 1.5 gallons
Flushing Toilet
5 flushes a day at 2.5
gallons per flush =
Flush only bowel
High efficiency toilet
movements - 2 flushes a
5 flushes a day at 1.3
day at 2.5 gallons per flush gallons per flush =
= 5 gallons
6.5 gallons
Activity
Typical Inefficient Use
Conserving Habits
Showering
(1 shower per day)
8 min at 2.5 gpm* flow
rate = 20 gallons
Washing Hands
and Face
(4 washes per day)
12.5 gallons
Total Gallons Used
per Day
*gpm = gallons per minute
44.5
23.5
27.5
High efficiency toilet
and flush only bowel
movements - 2 flushes a day
at 1.3 gallons per flush =
2.6 gallons
14.6
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Section 4 – Water Conservation (continued)
Sum up the water savings
44.5 gallons per day - 14.6 gallons per day = 29.9 gallons SAVED per day
TOTAL WATER YOU SAVED PER YEAR: 29.9 x 365 = 10,913.5 gallons
WATER YOUR FAMILY SAVED PER YEAR: Family of 2 = 21,827
Family of 5 = 54,567.5
Family of 6 = 65,481
Family of 3 = 32,740.5
Family of 4 = 43,654
Section 5 – How Much Money Can You Save?
Family of 2
Family of 3
Family of 4
Family of 5
Family of 6
Water Your Family Saved
per Year (gallons)
21,827
32,740.5
43,654
54,567.5
65,481
Utility Type
Water
Water
Water
Water
Water
Colorado Springs Utilities Cost Chart
Cost per cubic foot
0.035
Family of 2 = 2,918
0.035
Family of 3 = 4,377
0.035
Family of 4 = 5,836
0.035
Family of 5 = 7,295
0.035
Family of 6 = 8,754
Wastewater
Wastewater
Wastewater
Wastewater
Wastewater
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.025
0.025
Family of 2 = 2,918
Family of 3 = 4,377
Family of 4 = 5,836
Family of 5 = 7,295
Family of 6 = 8,754
$72.95
$109.43
$145.90
$182.38
$218.85
0.050
0.050
0.050
0.050
0.050
Half the water use (divide by 2)
Family of 2 = 1,459 cf
Family of 3 = 2,188.5 cf
Family of 4 = 2,918 cf
Family of 5 = 3,647.5 cf
Family of 6 = 4,377 cf
$72.95
$109.43
$145.90
$182.38
$218.85
Family of 2
Family of 3
Family of 4
Family of 5
Family of 6
$248.03
$372.06
$496.06
$620.09
$744.09
Natural Gas
Total Cost Savings (sum)
convert to cubic feet
divide by 7.48
divide by 7.48
divide by 7.48
divide by 7.48
divide by 7.48
Water Your Family Saved
per Year (cubic feet)
2,918
4,377
5,836
7,295
8,754
Cost Savings per Year ($)
$102.13
$153.20
$204.26
$255.33
$306.40
Total cost to upgrade bathroom = $120.00
Section 6 – Take Action!
Answers vary.
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Additional Resources:
• Schedule Colorado Springs Utilities to
give our Water Wise presentation to your
classroom. This free, 50 minute presentation
compliments the water conservation activity.
• Plan a free field trip to the Mesa Water
treatment plant or the Las Vegas Water
Resource Recovery Facility. Register on-line
at https://www.csu.org/pages/facility-tours-r.
aspx.
• Contact us for a free, custom field trip
to the Conservation and Environmental
Center to tour the Xeriscape gardens and
our demonstration area to gain hands-on
conservation ideas for the home.
Mesa Water treatment plant
Contact information:
Colorado Springs Utilities
Water Conservation
2855 Mesa Road - Mail Code 1300
Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Julia Gallucci – Water Education Coordinator
(719) 668-7820
[email protected]
Attachments:
1. Shower timer savings worksheet
Las Vegas Water Resource Recovery Facility
2.Certificate
448-4800
www.csu.org
Conservation and Environmental Center Xeriscape gardens
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Name: _______________________________________
Date: ____________________ Period: ___________
Water Conservation Extension: Family Encounter Using a Shower Timer
(recreated with permission of Carla Rae Smith, 6th grade science teacher at Eagleview Middle School)
We have studied how fresh water is a precious resource. Save water while you shower! Use the shower
timer provided by Colorado Springs Utilities to see if you can get in the habit of taking a shower under 5
minutes.
1. Track your time for each shower in the chart below. The timer is for 5 minutes, so if you go over,
estimate how much. Extra lines on the chart are for family members to take on the challenge. If
you don’t take a shower one day, leave it blank. If you take more than one shower per day, add the
times together.
Name
Day 1
Day 2
Shower Time (minutes)
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
2. Typical showerheads can flow between 2.5 and 5 gallons per minute (gpm). High efficiency
showerheads are closer to 1.5 gpm. Measure your shower’s rate of flow for one minute with a
bucket to find out what your actual flow rate is: __________gpm
3. Calculate the amount of water used in the longest shower on your table above: _________ gallons
4. Calculate the amount of water used in the shortest shower on your table above: _________ gallons
5. Calculate the water use difference between the longest and shortest showers: __________ gallons
6. What was a strategy you used to reduce your shower time?
448-4800
www.csu.org
HH Test your toilet for leaks and
fix them (save around 14
gallons per day).
HH Install a rain-sensor on the irrigation
system.
HH Tell your parents about
dripping faucets so that they
can be fixed (save about 5
gallons per day).
___________________________________________________
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HH Share water saving tips with my friends.
HH Never water outside more than 3 times
a week, and then only for a short time
(save up to 30 gallons per day).
HH Capture water while waiting
for it to get hot and reuse it
(save up to 10 gallons per day).
WATER CONSERVATION PLEDGE TAKEN THIS DAY OF:
HH Fill the dishwasher full before running it
(save 4 gallons per load).
HH Turn off the water between rinsing dishes
(save about 10 gallons a day).
HH Flush the toilet only when necessary
(save more than 2 gallons per flush).
HH Turn off the faucet while brushing my
teeth or washing my hands (save up to
10 gallons a day).
HH Replace old appliances with watersaving, energy-efficient ones (and get a
rebate from Colorado Springs Utilities).
HH Only run the clothes washer
when it is full (save up to 30
gallons per load).
Ma
k
HH Take a 5 minute or shorter shower (save
at least 12 gallons each time you shower).
I,__________________________________________ , pledge to do the following so that I
can help conserve our precious water resource and save money (check all that you can do):
Pledge
Water Conservation Wizard
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