Water Distribution in Peel using GIS Activity Time: 70 minutes

Transcription

1 Water Distribution in Peel using GIS Activity Time: 70 minutes Objective: students will use interactive Geographic Information System (GIS) maps to understand how water is distributed in Peel s lake-based (South Peel) system. Introduction: A Peel student s usual exposure to water is at the end of a tap, where water magically appears; always abundant, always available. This activity focuses on the South Peel System, which distributes Lake Ontario water to the vast majority of Peel s more than one million inhabitants. (The Caledon System provides groundwater, via municipal wells, to a minority of Peel inhabitants. The Caledon System is not addressed in this activity). This activity makes use of the Peel Water Story (PWS) GIS tool, available at Teachers (and students) unfamiliar with GIS technology are encouraged to try the GIS tutorial found on the PWS GIS Web page; doing so will improve the delivery of this activity. The effectiveness of the PWS GIS tool depends on computing power, as well as the speed of the Internet connection. Where either is deficient, a capable computer(s) must be found. If a classroom set of capable computers is not available, perhaps students can work together in small groups on a capable computer, or the worksheets can be completed as homework on a home computer, or the activity can be demonstrated by the teacher with a computer overhead projector, where available. Using the PWS GIS, with the Work Sheet as their guide, students will explore interactive maps that depict exactly how tap water moves from Lake Ontario to our homes and schools in Peel Region. Students will be prompted to find, and in some cases deduce, water distribution facts, in order to complete the Work Sheet s close language exercise. Materials: Computer(s) with access to the Internet (see above). The computer must have installed a compatible version of SVG software (free & downloadable from PWS Web site). Online GIS tool (and tutorial) at: Student worksheets Peel Water Story, Public Works Department, the Regional Municipality of Peel 1

2 Procedure: Familiarize yourself with the Peel Water Story GIS by using the tutorial found on the GIS Web page. By way of an introduction, ensure that your students understand the rudiments of GIS, (as described in the tutorial). Allow them then to explore the Peel Water Story s GIS pages, perhaps by using the tutorial themselves. For this activity, students may work individually or in groups. (The Work Sheet may also be given as homework). Have students read through the Work Sheet and fill in the blanks with answers acquired from exploring the Peel Water Story s GIS pages. Some of the close answers vary, depending on your school s location within Peel. (This is why you must do the activity before you use it with students). Have fun, be creative, and remember that GIS can be used for more than just this worksheet. Debrief: Rural residents in the Town of Caledon (outside of Bolton) do not use Lake Ontario as a source for their drinking water; where do you think their water comes from? How much does water cost when it comes from the tap? (You can find this info on the Region of Peel website) How much does it cost when purchased at a grocery store? Why is there such a price difference? Answers to Student Work Sheet: 1) name of school s City or Town 2) Peel 3) Lakeview 4) Lorne Park 5) Water mains 6) Uphill 7) Water pumps (pumping stations) 8) To avoid freezing during winter 9) Pressure 10) Elevated 11) Meadowvale Reservoir 12) diameter 13) ) varies: 150mm, 200mm, 300mm 15) wider 16) wider 17) to accommodate different volumes and pressures of water as the biggest water mains that serve everyone branch out to serve smaller, select populations Source: Developed by Region of Peel s Public Works Department, Public Education & Outreach. Contents of this publication may be photocopied provided the source is acknowledged on every page by including the following: Peel Water Story, Public Works Department, the Regional Municipality of Peel Not to be adapted or reprinted without written permission of the Public Works Department of the Regional Municipality of Peel. Address: 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton, Ontario L6T 4B9 Peel Water Story, Public Works Department, the Regional Municipality of Peel 2

3 Water Distribution in Peel using GIS - Student Work Sheet When it comes to our daily water supply, most of us have no idea where the water comes from that flows from our faucets, or where waste disappears to after flushing the toilet. Do you? This exercise will help you learn more about these and other local water facts. Using the Peel Water Story s GIS site ( read through this worksheet and fill in the blanks, circle the correct answers, or write your own responses. Some questions are straight forward, while others require more thinking on your part. Currently you attend school in the City/Town of (1). Your City/Town is what s known as an area municipality, which is part of larger regional municipality. The regional municipality in which your city/town is located is called the Region of (2). The reason for area and regional municipalities is that certain services are more efficiently delivered on a smaller scale (e.g. Parks and Recreation services) while others are better managed on a large scale (e.g. water distribution and wastewater disposal). The topic at hand is your local water system. Would you drink water from Lake Ontario? Would you be surprised to learn that you probably already do? Tap water in South Peel (Brampton, Mississauga and Bolton) all come from Lake Ontario. However, this lake water is first treated and tested in accordance with numerous environmental and health regulations so that it is fit for human consumption. Our water in South Peel is pumped from Lake Ontario into either of two water treatment facilities. To the east is the (3) Water Treatment Facility, the older of the two. To the west is the (4) Water Treatment Facility, which has been built entirely underground. (Clue: the actual water treatment facilities are not on the GIS map, but the reservoirs associated with them are). Peel Water Story, Public Works Department, the Regional Municipality of Peel 3

4 From these water treatment facilities, water is pumped through a series of large, underground pipes know as water (5). The water in Peel is taken from the Lake Ontario and distributed (6)( uphill / downhill ). This requires a series of (7) to ensure the water can be distributed as far north as Bolton. Water distribution pipes are buried underground and run underneath our streets (look at the GIS maps). Why are these pipes buried and not found above ground? (Clue: think about the different physical states of matter). (8) In your home, regardless of whether you are in the basement or the top floor of an apartment building, when you turn on your tap, water flows out. This flow happens because there is (9) applied at different points in the water system. The pressure is maintained by the various underground reservoirs and (10) water tanks. Water is pumped up into these large storage containers where the force of gravity pushes the water through the pipes and ensures constant pressure. What is the name of the water reservoir in Mississauga, between Highway 401 and Highway 407 on Erin Mills Parkway? (11) On the GIS maps, clicking your mouse on the blue lines (representing water distribution mains) will display the (12) of the pipes. The widest pipes in the Region s water distribution system are found closet to the water treatment facilities with a diameter of (13) millimetres. Select your school in the upper right corner of the GIS window. A new map will open showing the community around the school in greater detail. The diameter of the Peel Water Story, Public Works Department, the Regional Municipality of Peel 4

5 water main closest to your school is (14) millimetres in diameter. Looking at this local view of the water distribution system you can see that pipes underneath major roads are usually (15) ( wider / narrower ) than pipes that are on smaller side streets. As well, water pipes found in industrial areas are (16) ( wider / narrower ) than pipes found in residential neighbourhoods. Why do you think the pipes have different diameters? (17) This ends the Work Sheet exercise. You now realize that water in Peel doesn t just appear magically from our faucets, but goes through a regulated and very complex process before it reaches us. Share your knowledge with others. Ask family and friends if they know where their tap water comes from. Peel Water Story, Public Works Department, the Regional Municipality of Peel 5