1 For contest information, submission guidelines, news & updates, please visit:

http://watercontest.org

Water Awareness Poster Contest!

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Step 1 : LEARN! Step 2 : SHARE!

For contest information, submission guidelines, news & updates, please visit:

http://watercontest.org

Water Awareness Poster Contest!

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This year’s theme is….

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Recycling Water

For contest information, submission guidelines, news & updates, please visit:

http://watercontest.org

“Hi! I’m Amie Ba,

the good microbe!”

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!!!

This is my home:

in Pasco County.

Now, I may be small, but my friends

and I have a big job!!!

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

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

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The Reclaimed Water Story:

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Did you know - when water goes down the drain in Pasco

County, it gets recycled?

That’s one reason it’s SO important to be careful what

you put down the drains!

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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 WIP

ES

(Even “flushable” wipes!)

Dental floss & whitening strips

Cotton swabs & hair

So, what is “reclaimed water”?

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

So, what is “reclaimed water”?

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By using the water a second time before returning it to the natural water cycle, we help to e x t e n d the supply of fresh water. It’s just like recycling!

Have you ever

seen purple

pipes?

So, what can reclaimed water DO?

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“So, what CAN reclaimed water DO?”

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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?”

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“So, what else can reclaimed water DO?”

Extra reclaimed water may also be put back into nature through specially designed ponds like these “RRIBS”!

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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?”

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“Amie, can we drink or play in

reclaimed water?”

My friends and I make sure

that reclaimed water is clean

enough for plants.

But it is NOT as clean as

new drinking water.

ISN’T

intended for things like

drinking, cooking,

swimming or bathing.

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

• Reservoirs: (Like a savings account, but for water...)

(For latest status updates, visit: 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…

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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!

Yes!

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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!)

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?)

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For more contest information, news, updates, photos and submission guidelines, please visit:

http://watercontest.org

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(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?