Session 4: Water Pollution

Session 4: Water Pollution
Abstract: In this session the students of class 6 - through picture study - learn the different sources which pollute the
water directly and indirectly.
Objective: To develop awareness among the children about the sources of water pollution.
Duration of the session: 40 minutes
Support Material
(i)
Picture of a pond (a) showing people engaged in various activities
(ii)
Picture (b) showing settlement around a river.
(iii)
Worksheet # 1
Steps
Step 1:
The students will work in groups. The maximum number of students in each group is 4.
Each group is given a picture of a pond with people engaged in various activities (picture a).
The students are asked to refer to the picture and identify the different activities or things they see in the picture
which they feel is polluting the water in the pond.
The teacher collates their findings on the blackboard.
Step 2:
The students continue their work in the same group. Now each group is given another picture (b), a picture showing
a settlement around a river.
The students refer to the second picture and identify those objects around the river, which may indirectly pollute
the water in the river.
The teacher collates their answers on the blackboard.
The teacher sums up the activity by highlighting on point source and non-point sources of pollution.
Water pollution| EVS | Mahuya Sen Gupta
www.teachersofindia.org | Azim Premji Foundation
Sometimes the sources of pollution can be easily identified, e.g. a pipe from the industrial plant or
sewage treatment plant that may drain directly into a water body. Such pollution is described as Point
Sources and can be easily managed.
Water pollution can be caused indirectly. For instance water that drains from agricultural fields,
located far from the water body, may carry chemicals found in insecticides or fertilizers and pollute the
water. These sources which are spread out and which indirectly lead into the water body and cause
pollution are called Non-Point Sources.
Assessment/ Recapitulation
Procedure: The teacher distributes worksheet # 1 on pollution to all the students.
After the students fill the worksheet, the teacher will discuss the answers.
Water pollution| EVS | Mahuya Sen Gupta
www.teachersofindia.org | Azim Premji Foundation
Water pollution: Picture (a)
Water pollution| EVS | Mahuya Sen Gupta
www.teachersofindia.org | Azim Premji Foundation
Picture (b)
Water pollution| EVS | Mahuya Sen Gupta
www.teachersofindia.org | Azim Premji Foundation
Worksheet: water pollution
From the list given below, mark the Point sources of pollution
with P and Non Point sources with NP
1. A landfill or an open garbage dump.
2. Water runoff from highways and roads.
3. Leaks from underground septic tank.
4. Leaks from underground storage facilities
like petrol pumps.
5. An oil spill in the ocean from a tanker
6. Mining activities close to a river
Water pollution| EVS | Mahuya Sen Gupta
www.teachersofindia.org | Azim Premji Foundation
7. Silt and dirt washed into the river from
construction sites.
8. Industrial discharge pipe directly leading
into a river.
9. Dumping garbage in a pond.
10. Washing clothes at edge of a pond.
11. Run-off from agricultural fields sprayed
with pesticides and fertilizers.
12. Untreated sewage waste discharged
into the sea.
Water pollution| EVS | Mahuya Sen Gupta
www.teachersofindia.org | Azim Premji Foundation