Freshwater Pollution Freshwater Pollution Create a title page in your notebook. Reference pages for ideas.

South Lyon, Michigan

South Lyon Aquifer The City of South Lyon's water system is serviced by three (3) wells ranging in depth from 120 to 125 feet deep. They have a one million gallon ground storage tank with a 500,000 gallon elevated water tower which supplies water pressure to the City at psi. Huron River Watershed Credit *this is not the South Lyon water tower

South Lyon Aquifer Mr. Bob Martin and his crew

Will the pollution reach your wells? Supplies needed: Sharpie Marker Aquifer (coffee filter) Paper plate (do not throw away) Artificial rain Pollution (food coloring) In pencil or pen, write name on aquifer Think about this before it rains… Which wells could be affected by the pollution? Are all wells affected the same?

What is water pollution? Water pollution is the addition of any substance that has a negative effect on water or the living things that depend on the water. It can affect surface water, groundwater, and rain. It can result from both natural causes and human activities.

Origins of Water Pollution Human wastes Industrial wastes Agricultural chemicals Runoff from roads

Point vs. Nonpoint Sources Each source of pollution can be a point source or nonpoint source, depending on how the pollution enters a body of water. Point source = a specific source of pollution that can be identified (ex. A pipe gushing dirty water into a river) Nonpoint source = a widely spread source of pollution that is difficult to link to a specific point of origin (ex. road runoff)

Problem solving… Explain why finding the source of water pollution can be difficult. The pollution source may be widespread and/or far away from the polluted water. Pollutants may dissolve and move throughout a body of water. Sources such as gasoline tanks may be hidden underground.

Point or Nonpoint? point sourcenonpoint source

Point or Nonpoint? nonpoint sourcepoint source

Point or Nonpoint? point sourcepoint/non source

Where does it go? Have you ever wondered what happens to water and other substances when they are flushed down our drains and toilets? It shouldn't be a mystery, and the City of Windsor and the Detroit River Canadian Cleanup initiative have partnered to create a wastewater video to help de-mystify the topic.

South Lyon’s Clean Water Plant This is my friend Bob. The South Lyon Water Department oversees the treatment and distribution of the City's water and water quality testing to ensure that the it meets all applicable quality standards.

The beginning… When the waste water comes in, it goes through a screening process that removes inorganic material. This material is then sent to a landfill. The smell was so bad that I did not take any photos but this is what the screen looked like.

Settling Tanks The waste water then heads to settling tanks where the “grit” is removed. This is sand, gravel, other solids that got through the first screening. In the “pools” of water, bacteria is added to break down material. Air is also pumped in; dissolved oxygen accelerates the break down process.

The Skirt Skimmers on the top and bottom. Sludge settles to the bottom and is pushed out. Scum floats on the top.

Air tubes throughout the pools

The Split Waste water continues to get clean while the sludge heads to aeration tanks. The sludge is eventually purchased by farmers to be used for fertilizer. Sludge Aeration Tanks

The cleaning continues… More settling of materials. The water will be treated by ultraviolet light. The UV light disrupts the structure of DNA, the cells are unable to replicate before they die. UV Light

The Finished Product The water is released into the Huron River Watershed. Bob, Professor Swift, and two classmates.

Energy! How much energy does it take to keep South Lyon’s Clean Water Plant running?