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.

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).

You can either:

• see how we use separation techniques on an industrial scale for wastewater treatment and water recycling at Penrith Water Recycling Plant
• investigate stormwater run-off in our waterways with a waterway excursion at Johnstons Creek in Jubilee Park at Glebe or Boundary Creek in Weir Reserve at Penrith. Please note - this program is new so please email us to request this excursion.
   

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 four 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 at the following sites:

• Drinking water excursion at Orchard Hills Water Filtration Plant
• Wastewater and water recycling excursion at Penrith Water Recycling Plant
• Urban water cycle excursion at dual sites Orchard Hills and Penrith. Please note - this program is only available for groups with under 120 students.
• Geography waterways excursions at either, Johnstons Creek, Jubilee Park, Glebe or Boundary Creek, Weir Reserve, Penrith. Please note - this program is new and not on our booking form, email us to request this excursion.

 

Water in the World

• All the Water on Earth is all that we have. Learn about our natural water cycle and water sources.
• Find out how we're caring for our waterways. Try a self-guide excursion to see for yourself.
• Do a stormwater audit. Remember, the drain is just for rain!
• Investigate the urban water cycle.

Place and liveability

• Investigate how access to water is important for quality of life in liveable cities and for human wellbeing with our Orange sky lesson plan. 

Separating mixtures

You can apply science to water management just like our scientists with these practical investigations:

• Practical investigation - Fats, oil and grease
• Practical investigation - Density
• Practical investigation - Crystallisation and Stage 4 Science - Crystallisation lesson plan
• Practical investigation - Distillation
• Practical investigation - Evaporation and video
• Practical investigation - Wipes out of pipes, video and lesson plan.
• Make a simple water filter, video and lesson plan.
   

Other experiments to try:

• Make a pH indicator
• Make a cloud
• Water cycle and terrarium

Working scientifically skills 

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

• Try doing a school water audit to learn about water efficiency in school. 
• Do a wastewater audit to see what you put down your drains.
• Investigate the brand without a bottle.

Take a look at these other water related resources that link with our programs:

• Hunter Water has produced a school education pack with a range of resources suitable for use in preschool, infants, primary and high school.
• Follow a water molecule as it journeys from the ocean to the atmosphere then back to earth with ABC Splash.
• 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 you're looking for. 
• PUB Singapore has faced drought, floods and water pollution and learnt a lot. See how they've secured their water supply with innovative ideas. 
• Thames Water United Kingdom dates back to the 1600s and their engineering projects have influenced the way we manage wastewater and protected public health, in many cities of the world, including Sydney.