We offer three excursions that focus on the different types of water in our managed water cycle: drinking water, wastewater and water recycling.

Students will explore the chemistry specific to that site and see how we've applied it in an industrial setting.

The site tour and supporting activities are designed to inspire further Depth Study investigations.

Drinking water

Visit Orchard Hills Water Filtration Plant to learn about water quality and filtration.

Students will explore pH, buffers, flocculation and basic indicators of water quality. They'll see how we monitor, manage and process water to supply clean drinking water and protect public health. 

Water recycling

Visit St Marys Advanced Water Recycling Plant to learn about membrane technology, water recycling and protecting the environment.

Students will explore different types of polymers and how we use them in flocculation, dewatering and membranes. They'll learn about basic water quality indicators and how we're contributing to sustainable environments and liveable cities.

Wastewater

Visit Penrith Water Recycling Plant to learn about tertiary wastewater treatment, water recycling and protecting the environment.

Students will explore chemicals and separation techniques used in treating wastewater, as well as basic water quality indicators. They'll learn about protecting the environment and resource recovery.

Visit Penrith Water Recycling Plant to see how we use separation techniques on an industrial scale for wastewater treatment and water recycling.

Students will explore the impact of human behaviour on water use and the importance of protecting the environment. They'll also learn about how recycled water helps us maintain river environmental flows (e-flows).

We offer three excursions that focus on the different types of water in our managed water cycle: drinking water, wastewater and recycled water.

Students will explore applications and influence of scientific research in water management, specific to each site.

The site tour and supporting activities are designed to inspire further Depth Study investigations.

Drinking water

Visit Orchard Hills Water Filtration Plant to learn about water quality and filtration.

Students will explore the impacts of scientific research on public health through water filtration. Students will investigate pH, buffers, flocculation and basic indicators of water quality. They'll see how we monitor, manage and process water to supply clean drinking water.

Water recycling

Visit St Marys Advanced Water Recycling Plant to learn about membrane technology, water recycling and protecting the environment.

Students will explore the impacts of scientific research and the application of technology in advanced water recycling. Students will investigate how various polymers assist with water and solids recycling through flocculation, dewatering and membranes. They'll learn about basic water quality indicators in alternative sources of water and how we're contributing to sustainable environments and liveable cities.

Wastewater

Visit Penrith Water Recycling Plant to learn about tertiary wastewater treatment, water recycling and protecting the environment.

Students will explore chemicals how scientific research applied to industrial processes protects the environment and promotes resource recovery. Students will investigate the separation techniques used in treating wastewater to contribute to a sustainable environment and liveable city.

We offer three Stage 4 programs for Science and Geography that focus on the different types of water in the urban water cycle.

Students will learn about:

• the water cycle, water as a resource and factors influencing water availability in Sydney
• access to water and sustainable water management
• variations in people's perceptions about the value of water
• monitoring water quality to protect the environment and public health for a liveable city.

We run these excursions programs:

• Drinking water at Orchard Hills Water Filtration Plant
• Wastewater at Penrith Water Recycling Plant
• Urban water cycle (dual site- you'll visit both a drinking water filtration plant and a water recycling plant) at Orchard Hills and Penrith. Please note - this program is only available for groups with under 120 students.
   

Water in the World

• Natural water cycle video
• Urban water cycle PowerPoint

Place and liveability

• Orange sky lesson plan 

Project-based learning

• Try conducting a school Water audit to learn about water efficiency in school.
• How can we protect the environment from inside our homes? Try the Wastewater audit to see what you put down your drains.
• The Brand without a bottle has a new home, so you can participate anytime.

Separating mixtures

Managing water needs a good understanding of separation techniques. Our scientists use their scientific knowledge and apply it to our water treatment processes everyday.

You can apply science to water management with these practical investigations:

• Practical investigation - Fats, oil and grease
• Practical investigation - Density
• Practical investigation - Crystallisation
• Practical investigation - Distillation
• Practical investigation - Evaporation
• Practical investigation - Wipes out of pipes
• Make a simple water filter.

Go deeper into our practical investigations with these supporting lesson plans:

• Stage 4 Science - Crystallisation lesson plan
• Stage 4 Science - Make a simple water filter lesson plan
• Stage 4 Science - Wipes out of pipes lesson plan.

Don't have a fancy lab at school? Keen on science at home? Why don’t you try these fun video experiments? You don’t even need kids as an excuse, all you need is water and some household products!

• Make a simple water filter experiment - Using random stuff around your home, work out what makes a good filter, don’t get too crazy.
• Make a pH indicator experiment - Got a tired looking red cabbage in your fridge? Why not use it to test pH in household items? Find out what’s acidic, basic or neutral.
• Keep wipes out of pipes experiment - Urghh wipes! Did you know some people use the toilet like a bin? Try this experiment to see what breaks down, you may be surprised to see what doesn’t.

Working scientifically skills

• Make mock water samples - make samples of water to use in our practical investigations.

Project-based learning

• Try conducting a school Water audit to learn about water efficiency in school.
• How can we protect the environment from inside our homes? Try the Wastewater audit to see what you put down your drains.
• The Brand without a bottle has a new home, so you can participate anytime.

Hunter Water - school education pack

Hunter Water has produced a range of resources suitable for use in preschool, infants, primary and high school.

The resources are designed to support the educational programs offered to schools in the Hunter Water area of operation however they can be used independent of the program.

You can find these resources at Hunter Water.

Water, water everywhere! 

What is the water cycle? Follow a water molecule as it journeys from the ocean to the atmosphere then back to earth.

People and climate can affect the water cycle. How do they do this?

You can find these resources on ABC Splash.

ABC - Learning starts here

ABC Education has a wide variety of water resources, videos and games. Just type water into the search bar and set the filter settings to find what your looking for. 

You can find these resources at ABC Education.

Public Utilities Board (PUB) Singapore's National Water Agency

With limited land to collect and store rainwater, Singapore faced drought, floods and water pollution for many years. These challenges inspired Singapore to seek innovative ideas to secure a sustainable supply of water.

Today Singapore has a more reliable supply of water known as the ‘Four National Taps’:

1. water from local catchment
2. imported water
3. highly-purified reclaimed water known as NEWater
4. desalinated water.

To learn more, visit PUB Singapore.

Thames Water, United Kingdom

Thames Water is the UK's largest water and wastewater services provider, supplying tap water and removing wastewater across London and the Thames Valley. 

Their history dates back to the 1600s. They have been responsible for some impressive engineering projects that have influenced the way we manage wastewater and protected public health, in many cities of the world, including Sydney.

Learn more about the way Thames Water manages the urban water cycle today.