1. 1 For contest information, submission guidelines, news & updates, please visit: http://watercontest.org For contest information, submission guidelines, news & updates, please visit: http://watercontest.org

2. Water Awareness Poster Contest! 2 Step 1 : LEARN! Step 2 : SHARE! Prizes! Poster Displays! For contest information, submission guidelines, news & updates, please visit: http://watercontest.org For contest information, submission guidelines, news & updates, please visit: http://watercontest.org

3. Water Awareness Poster Contest! 3 This year’s theme is….

4. 4 With Amie Ba! Recycling Water For contest information, submission guidelines, news & updates, please visit: http://watercontest.org For contest information, submission guidelines, news & updates, please visit: http://watercontest.org

5. “Hi! I’m Amie Ba, the good microbe!”

6. Wait,“What’s a microbe!?” you ask? Well, a microbe is a very, very, very tiny living creature. “Just how tiny ARE you, Amie?” I’m so small, you would need a powerful microscope to see me! “Tiny, like a bug?” NO, no…I’m much, MUCH smaller than a bug!!!

7. Now, I may be small, but my friends and I have a big job!!! and I have a big job!!!

8. “Wastewater” is the name for ALL the dirty water that goes down the drains! 8

9. We microbes help CLEAN UP that dirty water, so it can be USEFUL again! 9

10. The Reclaimed Water Story: 10 recycled Did you know - when water goes down the drain in Pasco County, it gets recycled?

11. That’s one reason it’s SO important to be careful what you put down the drains! 11 These items should NEVER go down the drain or toilet! Fats, oils & grease DID YOU KNOW? Paints & hazardous materials Bandages & medications Kitty litter Baby & cleaning wipes WIPES WIPES (Even “flushable” wipes!) Dental floss & whitening strips Cotton swabs & hair

12. So, what is “reclaimed water”? 12 “Reclaimed water” ‘re-used,’ “Reclaimed water” is water that gets cleaned and ‘re-used,’ after it goes down the drain.

13. So, what is “reclaimed water”? 13 a second time By using the water a second time before returning it to the natural water cycle, we help to extend the supply of fresh water. It’s just like recycling!

14. Have you ever seen purple pipes? pipes? So, what can reclaimed water DO?

15. 15 “So, what CAN reclaimed water DO?” “So, what CAN reclaimed water DO?”

16. 16 Q: What about my vegetable garden? A: Using reclaimed water directly on fruits and vegetables isn't safe, unless they are going to be peeled, skinned or cooked before use.* So, it would be fine for your citrus tree, since you peel oranges & grapefruits before eating, but it shouldn't be used on that juicy red strawberry you want to eat whole fresh from the garden… Q: What about my vegetable garden? A: Using reclaimed water directly on fruits and vegetables isn't safe, unless they are going to be peeled, skinned or cooked before use.* So, it would be fine for your citrus tree, since you peel oranges & grapefruits before eating, but it shouldn't be used on that juicy red strawberry you want to eat whole fresh from the garden… http://tbep.org/how_you_can_help- lawn_fertilizer_and_tampa_bay- what_you_need_to_know_about_reclaimed_water_ and_fertilizer_use.html “So, what CAN reclaimed water DO?” “So, what CAN reclaimed water DO?”

17. 17 “So, what else can reclaimed water DO?” “So, what else can reclaimed water DO?” Just remember – decorative ONLY! No swimming or drinking!

18. Extra reclaimed water may also be put back into nature through specially designed ponds like these “RRIBS”! 18 Specially designed ponds called RRIBS (Rapid Rate Infiltration Basins) can be used to put reclaimed water back into nature… “So, what else can reclaimed water DO?” “So, what else can reclaimed water DO?”

19. 19 “Amie, can we drink or play in reclaimed water?”

20. 20 That’s why you’ll see signs like this one when reclaimed water is being used…

21. Reservoirs Reservoirs: (Like a savings account, but for water...) (For latest status updates, visit: http://projects.ch2m.com/boyettereservoir/Status.htm)http://projects.ch2m.com/boyettereservoir/Status.htm 21 Did you know? The water that goes down Pasco County drains can produce over 20 million gallons of reclaimed water – EACH DAY!!! Examples: Land O’ Lakes Reclaimed Reservoir (110 million gallons) Boyette Reservoir – expected completion: early 2016 (Will increase Pasco County’s storage by 500 million gallons!) During wet weather, people use LESS reclaimed water. Reservoirs can SAVE reclaimed water until it is needed again…

22. 22 Photo: Week of December 4, 2015 The sun setting to the west of the reservoir, as seen from the eastern embankment. http://projects.ch2m.com/boyettereservoir/Status.htm Look at all that reclaimed water… What a beautiful sight!

23. Yes! 23 So what can reclaimed water DO? Decorative ponds & fountains Watering lawns (sprinklers) Sports fields, parks & golf courses Cooling power plants Watering crops Orchards (…like citrus!)

24. Now it ’ s time for you to SHARE what you ’ ve learned ! Draw a poster showing :  …What can reclaimed water do?  …Reclaimed water - DO’s & DON’T’s.  …Reclaimed  Recycling! (Use it  clean it  re-use it!)  …Think before you flush! (i.e. What doesn’t go down the drain?) 24 For more contest information, news, updates, photos and submission guidelines, please visit: http://watercontest.org

25. 25 (Adapted from SWFWMD “Waterweb – Conservation” document) Pretend that you live in a newly developed community that includes: – 200 homes, – a splash park, – a BBQ restaurant, – a golf course, – a swimming pool, – a park with sports fields, – a butterfly garden, and – a decorative fountain.  Describe ways that reuse could help conserve water in this community.  Q: Where SHOULDN’T reclaimed water be used? (Adapted from SWFWMD “Waterweb – Conservation” document) Pretend that you live in a newly developed community that includes: – 200 homes, – a splash park, – a BBQ restaurant, – a golf course, – a swimming pool, – a park with sports fields, – a butterfly garden, and – a decorative fountain.  Describe ways that reuse could help conserve water in this community.  Q: Where SHOULDN’T reclaimed water be used?