THE FLINT WATER CRISIS
Can we clean contaminated water?
Introduction Video
Directions: A few years ago a horrible thing happened in Flint Michigan. The city changed its source of water. When they did this, they ended up poisoning their water supply. As you watch the video of what happened, be prepared to share what you know.
Quick Write
What happened in flint?
What types of poisons were in the water?
What can be done to purify the water?
Water Reading
Water Purification is the removal of harmful materials from water. Scientists call harmful materials Contaminants. In order for humans to drink water, we must remove all the bacteria, and harmful chemicals so the water is clean enough for humans to drink. Some water is used for business and cleaning purposes, but that water does not have to be as clean as drinking water. Substances that are removed during the process include parasites (one celled living things), bacteria, algae, viruses, fungi, minerals (including toxic metals such as Lead, Copper etc.), and man-made chemical pollutants.
Many contaminants can be dangerous—but depending on the quality standards, others are removed to improve the water's smell, taste, and appearance. A small amount of disinfectant is usually intentionally left in the water at the end of the treatment process to reduce the risk of re-contamination in the distribution system.
Unfortunately, many cities focus on the cost of the purification process in the design of water purification plants. Groundwater is water that flows under the ground. Groundwater is cheaper to treat, but the water in the group usually has a limited output and can take thousands of years to recharge. Surface Water that comes from rain and melted snow should be carefully monitored for the presence of unusual types or levels of disease causing contaminants. Many plants focus on removing contaminants from surface water.
The treatment plant itself must be kept secure from vandalism and terrorism. It is not possible to tell whether water is safe to drink just by looking at it. There are a few ways to filter water. Water Filtration: This is when you use different materials and allow the water to run over the materials. After running through the material, many of the contaminants get caught in the rocks and the sand and meth. Boiling Filtration: This a process where you boil the water to make sure living things like bacterial and algae are killed. Chemical Treatment: This is the process where you engage the water in a chemical reaction that converts poisons into water and removes toxins. Simple procedures such as boiling or the use of a household charcoal filter are not sufficient for treating water from an unknown source. Even natural spring water - considered safe for all practical purposes in the 1800s - must now be tested before determining what kind of treatment is needed.