Question

global water crisis connections

1. research challenge: look up one real example of a water contamination crisis (like flint, michigan). write 3 sentences describing what happened:

1. local connections: where does your communitys drinking water come from? what steps are taken to ensure its safe?

1. personal action: list 3 things individuals can do to help protect water quality.

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3.
scientific method application
form a hypothesis: based on what you learned, complete this hypothesis about water testing: \if water contains ________________ contamination, then when we test it we should observe ______________ because ________________.\
design an investigation: you want to test water safety. list 3 different tests you would perform and what each test would tell you:

1. test: ________________ what it reveals: ______________

1. test: ________________ what it reveals: ______________

1. test: ________________ what it reveals: ______________

Explanation:

1. For the research challenge, the example of the Walkerton water - contamination crisis in Canada can be used. In 2000, the town's water supply was contaminated with E. coli and Campylobacter due to improper water treatment and contaminated well water. Many residents became ill and several died.
2. For local connections, answers will vary by community. Generally, water may come from surface water sources like lakes or rivers, or groundwater from wells. Treatment steps include filtration, disinfection (using chlorine or other disinfectants), and sedimentation.
3. For personal action, individuals can reduce chemical use (e.g., pesticides), fix leaky faucets to conserve water, and properly dispose of household hazardous waste.
4. For forming a hypothesis, an example could be: "If water contains lead contamination, then when we test it we should observe a positive result on a lead - testing strip because lead is a heavy metal that can be detected by specific chemical tests."
5. For designing an investigation:

• Test: pH test. What it reveals: The acidity or alkalinity of water, which can affect water quality and the effectiveness of disinfection.
• Test: Bacterial count test. What it reveals: The presence and quantity of harmful bacteria like E. coli, indicating potential fecal contamination.
• Test: Heavy - metal test. What it reveals: The presence of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, or cadmium, which are toxic to human health.

Answer:

1. In 2000, Walkerton, Canada's water supply was contaminated with E. coli and Campylobacter from improper treatment and well - water contamination. Many got sick and some died.
2. Answers vary by community. Sources can be lakes/rivers or wells. Treatment includes filtration, disinfection, sedimentation.
3. Reduce chemical use; Fix leaky faucets; Properly dispose of hazardous waste.
4. If water contains lead contamination, then when we test it we should observe a positive result on a lead - testing strip because lead is a heavy metal that can be detected by specific chemical tests.
5. Test: pH test. What it reveals: Acidity/alkalinity of water.

Test: Bacterial count test. What it reveals: Presence and quantity of harmful bacteria.
Test: Heavy - metal test. What it reveals: Presence of toxic heavy metals.