Education
Education and outreach is an opportunity for us to bring awareness to the many ways we all can help keep our environment thriving. Children can lead the way when they understand how their actions can impact and influence those around them.
Through presentations, educational videos and materials, and our participation in community events, we demonstrate how the water and wastewater treatment processes work, and the importance of protecting and maintaining our systems.
The materials, activities, and content of this education program are aligned with several of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) Science Benchmarks in collaboration with St. Lucie Public Schools.
For more information about classroom presentations, field trip opportunities, and Utility Systems-related resources, contact:
Jenny Tomes
Utility Marketing and Digital Video Coordinator
(772) 871-5131
jtomes@cityofpsl.com
Drop Savers Water Conservation Poster Contest
Port St. Lucie Utility Systems invites St. Lucie County school students to participate in the 2020 Drop Savers Water Conservation Poster Contest in conjunction with the Florida Section American Water Works Association. In 2019, nine schools participated and 195 entries were submitted from students in grades 1 through 8. A winner was chosen from each grade to be recognized by the Port St. Lucie City Council.
The 2018 Drop Savers Water Conservation Poster Contest won the Treasure Coast Chapter Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) Judges' Award for a Public Relations Program.
2019 “Drop Savers” Poster Contest Winners:
1st Grade – Natalie Sidelien from Ivy League Academy
2nd Grade – Jewel Hand from Floresta Elementary
3rd Grade – Aria Clark from Floresta Elementary
4th Grade – Ethan Costa from Floresta Elementary
5th Grade – Donnae Moore from St. Lucie West K-8
6th Grade – Jayden Hollar from Ivy League Academy
7th Grade - Jaime Salvador from Northport K-8
8th Grade - Alana Edwards from Northport K-8
Water and Wastewater Wonders Activity Book
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Explore the wonderful world of water and wastewater with Mikey the microorganism, a friendly bacteria who lives at the wastewater treatment plant.
There are lots of fun activities and coloring pages to help kids learn about where our water comes from and how we clean it up before it is sent to homes. They will also learn about the wastewater treatment process, as well as how they can help maintain our systems and save water.
Be a Water Saver Super Hero
By making a few simple changes at home, kids can become Water Saver Super Heroes! Wasting less water, not only helps to conserve, it helps save money on the water bill. Everyone wins when they live with a water saver super hero. So "water" you doing to help? Let’s start saving!
Save in the Bathroom
Watch "Water Saver Super Hero: Kids Save in the Bathroom"
Download Water Saver Super Hero: Kids can Conserve in the Bathroom Coloring Book
Download Water Saver Bathroom Door Hanger
Save in the Kitchen
Watch "Water Saver Super Hero: Kids Save Water in the Kitchen"
Download Water Saver Super Hero: Kids can Conserve in the Kitchen Coloring Book
Water Cycle Activities
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All of the Earth's water is part of an endless "water cycle." Through this cycle, nature cleans and moves water from the ocean to the air, then to the land and back again.
A fun way to help kids visualize the water cycle include making a wristband using yarn and different colored beads that represent each step. Kids will also like creating their own water cycle in a jar using a small plant, rocks, sand, and gravel.
DIY Water Filtration System
A homemade water filtration system demonstrates the process in which dirty water moves through various layers that trap particles, only allowing the water to pass through.
This is a very simple and visual way to show how water percolates on Earth and is "filtered" before it reenters the aquifer.
Clog Creation
A section of wastewater pipe is clogged with non-flushable items such as a washcloth, socks, and toys to demonstrate how easily a clog can occur. Only the 3 P's (pee, poo, and paper) should be flushed down the toilet, everything else should be thrown away in the garbage can.
Francis FOGberg, a congealed mass of fats, oil, and grease (FOG), plus other non-flushable items, represents everything that can wreak havoc on our sewer system if not disposed of properly.
Flush Test: Toilet Paper vs. Wipes
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Cups filled with water serve as toilets when comparing what happens to both toilet paper and wipes once flushed. Using a spoon to stir, the toilet paper quickly breaks down while the wipe stays completely intact.
Watch Toilet Paper vs. "Flushable" Wipes video
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Tours
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Tours of the water and wastewater facilities allow kids to see the treatment processes and equipment first-hand while learning how the systems work from the men and women who operate them.
Watch this video to learn more about our water treatment process
Watch this video to learn more about our wastewater treatment process
