Advice From Owlie—Water Recycling

ADVICE FROM OWLIE

Q: Dear Owlie, my teacher mentioned today that water can be recycled too, but I am a little confused about how that works. I know paper and plastic can be recycled and turned into something else, but how does that apply to our water? I want to become a water recycling expert, so I can do everything in my power to not only conserve water, but help to recycle water too. Thanks Owlie!

Junior Water Connoisseur

A: Dear Junior Water Connoisseur

I am happy to hear from an inquisitive young scholar such as yourself, and it is great that you are trying to take an active role in the community! Water recycling is an important process that contributes to the maintenance of our water supply. Although wastewater is treated to be reused, it does not meet the standards of clean drinking water. Wastewater travels through a five-step process to effectively meet the standards of recycled water.

Preliminary Treatment The process begins with wastewater, or used water collected from showers, sinks, car washes, washing machines, toilets, etc. The water travels through pipes to water recycling plants where rakes are used to screen trash and large debris out of the water.

Primary Treatment Once all large objects have been removed, the wastewater travels to phase two where it is introduced to a substance called ferric chloride. This chemical helps solids settle down to the bottom of the tank for removal. Meanwhile, a large arm-like rake skims the top of the water to remove fats, oils and greases (FOG).

Secondary Treatment The next stage of treatment is a biological process that involves the use of microorganisms to eat away 90% of organic material in the wastewater.

Tertiary Treatment The water is passed through a filtration system that removes up to 99% of remaining solids in the water.

Disinfection After filtration, disinfection occurs when sodium hypochlorite, a super charged bleach, is mixed into the water for a minimum of 90 minutes to remove pathogens (bacteria, viruses, protozoa) in the water. 

Purple pipes act as an indication of recycled water being used, which means it is not drinkable. Recycled water is utilized for landscaping, golf courses, industrial cooling, and groundwater recharge. There is so much more out there for you to learn about recycled water! I have provided you with a good foundation, but now I want you to venture off and seek your own answers. Water Discovery Field Trip Registrations are now open for the 2019-2020 school year! My friends at Inland Empire Utilities Agency hold fun, educational and hands-on activities for ongoing field trips throughout the school year. Students fifth grade and up have an opportunity to visit a water recycling plant in person to see and learn about the process in person. Don’t forget to share your knowledge on recycled water with the rest of your friends in class! 

See you real soo(HOO)n!

Owlie

Advice from Owlie- Animal Migration

ADVICE FROM OWLIE

Q: Dear Owlie,
My class went on the Water Discovery field trip about two months ago, and I saw so many cute animals in the park. There was a cool looking bird I liked a lot, and I wanted to show it to my parents. I brought them to the park with me today, but it was nowhere to be found. The bird had a long black neck with a black and white face, and I believe my teacher said it was a Canadian Goose. I would appreciate it if you can please tell me where to find the Canadian Goose because I want my parents to see how cool they are too! Thank you so much for your help Owlie!
See you soon!
Bird Seeker

A: Dear Bird Seeker,

I’m so glad you want to share that experience with your parents! My favorite part about the tour is getting to see all the cute animals roaming around the park as well. From what you described, it looks like your teacher was correct! The Canadian Geese do have black and white faces with long black necks, and they are a very interesting species we have here in the park! They are one of the largest geese in the world and can weigh up to 20 pounds. That is one large bird! The Canadian Geese need open water to dive for food and swim away from land-based predators. Over the cooler seasons, the Canadian Geese fly South to find warmer bodies of water that are not frozen over. The Canadian Geese often return to the places they were born, which is why they tend to fly back home as the climate gets warmer. I’m sorry you didn’t get to show your parents the Canadian Geese today, but if you come back when the weather here is a little bit cooler, you might have a little more luck! Until then, you can still show your parents all the other cool birds and ducks we have around the wetlands. Hopefully you all get the chance to see some of our Mallard ducklings with their parents!

Have fun and be safe!

Owlie

Advice from Owlie- Water Quality

Advice from Owlie 

Q: Dear Owlie, 

It's my first day of school today! I'm so excited to start. I heard that we get to go on a Water Discovery Program field trip this semester! Can you give me an interesting water fact that I can take back and share with my class? Thank you so much Owlie!

See you soon!

Future Water Expert

A: Dear Future Water Expert, 

Me making sure that the
water is nice and clean!

Congratulations on the start of your new school year! How wonderful that you will be able to participate in a Water Discovery Program field trip too! Did you know that August was National Water Quality Month? Water Quality is the measurement of the condition of water in compliance with the environment where the water resides. These measurements refer to the chemical, physical, biological, and radiological standards of the state of the water itself. We use water everyday because water is a vital part of our lives! If these standards are not met before using water in various ways, we could all become very ill. At the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), they treat water from surrounding areas. This intense treatment process is done in 5 vigorous steps and then goes out again for irrigation! How's all of that for a pretty neat water fact?! I hope this helps!

See you soo(HOO)n! 

Owlie

For more information on how IEUA treats water from surrounding regional areas, check out: www.ieua.org/water-sources

Advice from Owlie- Baby Ruddy Duck Announcement

Advice from Owlie

Hey Everyone!

We have a big announcement to make! We have a new resident here at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park! Please give a warm welcome to baby ruddy duck! To celebrate the baby's arrival, I've collected some interesting facts about ruddy ducks. A ruddy duck will typically have a short body, thick neck, stiff fan-shaped tail, short wings, and a chunky body. One thing that sets the male ruddy duck apart from other ducks, is their bright blue bill. For now, the baby ruddy duck is too young for us to identify whether it is a male or female. When a ruddy duck is born, it has gray and white feathers, and a dark stripe across their cheeks. I will keep you updated with its progress and how he or she is adapting to it's new home. 

Til next time!

Owlie

Advice from Owlie- Coastal Wetlands

Advice from Owlie

Q: Dear Owlie,

I'm so excited that school is out for summer! My family and I are going on our annual summer vacation to Huntington Beach, next week. I want to show them that I am a wetlands expert. Can you tell me about coastal wetlands and their function? I also know how important it is to keep our environment clean, so that it can perform it's functions properly. Would you mind sharing some of the ways we can do our part to protect these wetlands? Thank you so much for your help! 

Sincerely, 

Beach Bound Preserver 

A: Dear Beach Bound Preserver, 

Your beach trip sounds so exciting! I love coastal wetlands! Coastal wetlands are found in coastal watersheds and include saltwater (tidal wetlands) and freshwater (non-tidal wetlands). Coastal wetlands function's include flood protection, erosion prevention, food and a habitat for wildlife, and filters chemicals and sediments before reaching the ocean. For these wetlands to thrive, they depend on the health and maintenance of the watersheds that they come from. Since wetlands are one of the world's most valuable ecosystems, and have so many important functions that help our environment, it is vital that we do everything in our power to protect them. When you are there enjoying the beauty of the coastal wetlands, practice these environmental saving tips; pick up any trash that you see, try to use paper and recycled products made from unbleached paper, and try not to use heavy equipment that would harm the camping ground area you are at. I hope that this helps you enjoy your vacation with peace of mind knowing that you are helping to preserve your environment! 

Til next time! 

Owlie

Advice from Owlie - #tiptuesday National Ice Cream Soda Day

Advice from Owlie

Q: Dear Owlie, 
When I went on a Water Discovery field trip to the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park we made an Edible Aquifer. It was so much fun that I want to make one today in honor of National Ice Cream Soda day! Would you mind sharing the recipe with me, and explaining what an aquifer is again? I would greatly appreciate it! 

Sincerely, 
I Scream for Ice Cream 

A: Dear I Scream for Ice Cream,
I would be more than happy to help you out! Making an Edible Aquifer is one of my favorite activities during the Water Discovery Trips! First things first! An aquifer is underground layer of rocks and soil that hold water. Some aquifers can sit just a few feet underground, while others sit hundreds of feet underground! Before you do this activity, make sure you have your parent's permission and help!

The materials you need will be:

• A clear cup 
• Clear soda of choice
• Cookie Crumbles
• Gummy bears
• Ice cream
• Sprinkles
• A drinking straw

Directions: 

1. Fill your cup with clear soda. This represents the groundwater. 
2. Cover the clear soda one-third of the way with cookie crumbles. This represents the layer of the sand, gravel, and rocks in the aquifer. 
3. Pour gummy bears into the cup. This represents the hard rocks. 
4. For the layer of clay or dense rock, called the confining layer, use one scoop of ice cream. 
5. Then, add a layer of cookie crumbles on top of the "clay" (ice cream), to represent the gravel and sand. 
6. Add sprinkles to the the top of this to represent the layer of soil, grass, fertilizers and pesticides. This layer also represents the pollutants that could harm our safe drinking water. 
7. Using your straw, drill a well into the center of your aquifer and push it down to the bottom of the cup. Try drinking the edible aquifer to see how difficult it can be for the water to move throughout a real aquifer.  
8. Add a little more clear soda to the top to represent rain fall that replenishes the aquifer.

And there you have it! An edible aquifer! 

Enjoy!
Owlie    

Download the PDF here: http://www.ieua.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Edible-Aquifer_IEUA.pdf

Advice from Owlie - Newest Water Conservator

Advice from Owlie

Q: Dear Owlie, 

I see that you are answering questions about wetlands. I am a new reader, and I want to know the basics. What exactly is a wetland, and what does it have to do with water efficiency? 

Sincerely, 
Newest Water Conservator 

A: Dear Newest Water Conservator:
I am so glad you asked! Many people seem to have the same question. A wetland is the intersection between water and land, and is considered to be one of the most productive ecosystems in the world. To be a wetland, an area must be soaked or filled with water part of the year. In some cases, some wetlands can be dry during different parts of the year. They also provide a habitat for various types of wildlife. Wetlands help with water efficiency by acting like a sponge during flood seasons, filtering pollutants from our water, helping clean our water, and absorbing wind and tidal forces. Here at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational park, we have six ponds that filter, and help clean, about a million gallons of water a day. That water will eventually make it out to Huntington beach! How cool is that?!

Hope that helped!

Your friend, 
Owlie

P.S.
Here is a picture from my trip when I went up the coast to Malibu Lagoon!