Project WET
Project WET is an exciting partnership program between the City of Richmond and the Richmond School Board.
The acronym WET stands for Water Education Team. This unique program is one of a kind in the Lower Mainland, designed to inform, educate and entertain elementary school students on the importance of water quality and supply.
Largely targeted for grades 4 7, Project WET promotes higher level thinking skills while learning about the fundamentals of water quality, consumption, conservation and wastewater in an interactive and fun environment.
Program ElementsThe 4 key elements of Project WET are:
Water as a system tracing how water falls on local mountains, making its way through the water infrastructure system and into our homes when we turn on the tap.
Water conservation why water conservation and water quality are important, what the City is doing to sustain our capacity and what students can do to help.
Why drainage is important the Richmond storm system and ditch-drainage system carry wastewater to the river. Students learn how these drainage systems work and the importance of keeping toxic materials out of ditches and storm sewers.
Richmond is a unique island Richmond is the only city in North America completely surrounded by dykes. Students learn why dykes are critical in Richmond and how important it is to maintain them.
Teachers Resource PackageBefore students begin their journey into Project WET, Teachers will receive materials to set the framework for expected learning outcomes:
A short video called Water You Can Count On should be reviewed in class prior to arriving for the field trip
The Teachers Resource Guide contains questions and answers centered around water use and the distribution system, which should first be discussed in class. The guide also contains fun, interactive water trivia games to be discussed in class.
Field TripStudents take a field trip to the City of Richmond Works Yard, approximately four hours in duration, and tour various interactive displays. Students are provided with written material, trivia questions and trinkets to take home and discuss with their family.
Interactive Displays There are eight interactive displays with a Water Services Department staff person guiding students through key learning objectives for each.
These are the stations for the Project WET field trip to the Works Yard:
- Station A: Project Wet Orientation Centre
- Station B: Water Distribution
- Station C: Meter Shop
- Station D: Fire Hydrants & Valves
- Station E: Water Locating Technologies
- Station F: Storm Pump Station/Storm & Sanitary Sewer
- Station G: Sanitary Pump Station
Here a just a small sample of the quotes we received from the 2002 inaugural class of Project WET participants:
Project WET was great!! The pictures were so funny. I got lots of facts and learned many things! Thank you! I love the field trip!" (Vicky)
It was so amazing how you treat the water to make it healthy. To make it healthy when you change the water pipe mains, you have to disinfect it with chlorine. That must be the most fun job in the world. (Andrew)
I had lots of fun. Especially when I drilled a new pipe hole. I also learned tons of great things! Like the biggest sanitary station is under the Gateway Theatre."
"The Water You Can Count On video was pretty cool too. Thank you again it was definitely great!! (Kristof)
Thank you for these wonderful presentations and models. I knew that you and your staff worked hard on the video. I learned to keep from wasting water. For example, when brushing my teeth I should turn off the tap."
"If I can, I would bring my family and friends to the tour. You and your staff did a great job. Thank you! (Herman).
Related TopicsTo learn more about other City initiatives to protect our natural environment, visit the City's Environmental Sustainability section on this site.
Contact Us At Project WET
To learn more about Project WET, contact Soraya Bishay at 604-244-1200 local 1346.
