As part of National Drinking Water Week celebrations, local fifth grade students attended the annual Central Ohio Children’s Water Festival at the Ohio State Fairgrounds and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Park in Columbus, Ohio on May 7th. The event, now in its sixth year, aims to promote environmental awareness of our valuable water resources through interactive displays, hands-on activities and fun workshops.
The Children’s Water Festival has gained notoriety over the years and participation from local school children has grown from 100 students from inception to the impressive attendance of over 760 students in 2013.
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| In an effort to teach the children about buoyancy, MWH Water Practice Leader Tim Wolfe works with the student to build paper boats to determine the number of metal washers it will take to sink them. |
The City of Columbus and its Department of Public Utilities have become the main sponsors of this festival. MWH continues to be the City’s principal partner. In addition support is provided by Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, Ohio EPA, and various other Columbus City Council members as well as several local consulting firms.
As part of proceedings on the day, the children were educated in the following:
- How to measure water quality;
- How drinking water is treated;
- Water distribution systems including piping, water towers, pump stations and hydrants;
- How water treatment in the Ohio area has evolved over the years;
- Water buoyance
- The role of ‘good’ bacteria in the wastewater treatment process;
- How water is an irreplaceable resource and how it impacts our lives;
- Plus lots more…
Teachers at local schools are provided with resource kits to help them prepare for the event and maximize attendance to best learn about our precious resource.
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| Mayor Michael Coleman, Councilmember Eileen Paley and Director of Public Utilities Greg Davies look on as students simulate the flow of water and it’s treatment process through the Dublin Road Water Plant. |
Robin Liss, MWH project manager acts as the Children’s Water Festival event coordinator. “Ohio EPA originally established this event five year ago. When MWH took over as coordinators of the third festival, we never envisioned how successful this event could and has become. We are truly blessed with a great group of volunteers working to give a little back to our community on such an important topic in our lives…water,” commented Robin.
