Pasadena Unified Students Visit City Water Treatment Plant

Fifty students from Washington Elementary STEM Magnet School’s fifth grade class accompanied by their teachers toured the Monk Hill Water Treatment Plant Thursday, February 25 to learn more about how Pasadena’s water supply system works.

Guided by Pasadena Water and Power Assistant General Manager Shan Kwan, the tour provided an opportunity for the students to get a good grasp of how the water cycle works, what local water sources are in Pasadena and how the water is treated before it is delivered into their homes and school.

The students took notes as they were guided through the tour where they saw the treatment tanks and the water reservoir. At the end of the tour, they were given a group quiz where PWP later gave away workbooks, rulers and pencil bags.

PWP Interim General Manager Shari Thomas said the tour is one of a variety of events and programs they hold throughout Pasadena to promote an educational environment that promotes sustainable awareness and conservation.

PWP, in partnership with the Pasadena Department of Public Works, also offers a Green Living Curriculum to second and third grade PUSD students. In the six-week course, a Green Living Curriculum teacher visits classrooms once a week to discuss sustainability and conservation topics.

For fourth and fifth grade students, PWP and the Armory Center for the Arts foster environmental stewardship through the arts and teach students to create scientifically and environmentally themed art projects. Over 500 students get weekly classroom visit from artist-teachers and take part in field trips throughout the semester.

PWP and the Metropolitan Water District also sponsor a “Water is Life” student art contest, open to all K-8 students who are required to submit artwork portraying water conservation themes.

In May last year, PWP and Mad Science sponsored assemblies for K-5 students in celebration of Water Awareness Month. Over 600 students attended the water-wise themed assembly titled “What Do You Know About H20.”

To learn more about PWP’s educational programs, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/waterandpower/education.