Twenty teachers spent two days (June 17 & 18) learning first hand about water as part of a "Water Education for Teachers" (WET) workshop. Starting at the headwaters of Big Cottonwood Canyon and ending at the wastewater treatment plant outfall, they learned about watershed protection, water treatment and distribution, and finally wastewater treatment before the water is released back into the environment. Hosted by the State Division of Water Resources and Department of Public Utilities, instructors from the Ogden Nature Center, forest service, Utah State University, University of Utah and advanced K-6 teachers were given first hand information to help them teach their students under the WET program. According to Florence Reynolds, Salt Lake City Public Utilities Water Quality & Treatment Administrator, "The teachers really enjoyed seeing for themselves, the things that they have been teaching from the student guide book." As part of the tour, they learned about ground water contamination by inspecting the 6200 South Well treatment process to remove PCE.

In Dell stream above Little Dell Reservoir, they waded into the stream to conduct a macro-invertebrate monitoring exercise. The stream was teaming with rockrollers, dragonfly larvae and snails, indicating the health of this stream. Ms. Reynolds said that the teachers particularly liked this part of the tour. She said, "The number of macro-invertebrates collected showed the excellent high quality of this water." Allan Daly, state Water Education Coordinator responsible for the statewide water education program, averred, "the health of the stream is a result of sound watershed management practices."

Earl Jackson, Utah State Extension Service showed the group how to conduct a water audit to wisely use water. Topics included using a soil probe, efficient lawn watering and water conservation.

A tour of Little Dell Dam and Reservoir was followed by learning how water is treated in the Parleys Water Treatment Plant located below Mt. Dell Reservoir in Parleys Canyon.

The two-day tour was concluded by visiting Salt Lake City's 56 million-gallon per day wastewater treatment facility. Mr. Daly explained the Surface Water Model and gave the teachers a wrap-up of the workshop. As part of the wastewater plant tour, the teachers were shown the wetlands project north of the treatment facility.

"From all indications, the two days were well worth the time," said Ms. Reynolds, adding, "The teachers seemed to welcome the opportunity for field experience."

The "Utah Project Wet" education program reaches about 4,000 students each year and targets fourth and fifth grade students. Workshops help the teachers instruct their students. The tour was an extension of the workshop concept, taking the teachers out in the field for hands-on experience. The WET Program Guide covers 90 water related education activities. Much of the funding for the program comes from contributions from water conservancy districts and city utilities. State appropriations also fund the program.

Questions regarding this article should be directed to: florence.reynolds@si.slc.ut.us