Science Homework Help

Is bottled water cleaner or better for you than plain old tap water? In this week’s assignment, you will be exploring the pros and cons of tap vs. bottled water. We will focus on the environmental impacts of bottled water.

Here are the steps to complete your assignment:

Step 1: Watch “The Story of Bottled Water” http://storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of-bottled-water/ (Links to an external site.)

Step 2: Look at each of the resources below:

• Water on Tap: What You Need to Know – http://water.epa.gov/drink/guide
• https://www.storyofstuff.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/SOBottledWater_FAQ.pdf (Links to an external site.)

Step 3: Research where your drinking water comes from and how clean it is (water quality report). Here is some information on how to interpret a water quality report: https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-interpret-a-water-analysis-report (Links to an external site.)

For some towns, information on the source of water and it’s quality is all in the same report. Here are reports for nearby towns. If your town is not on the list, try just googling your town name + water quality report. If you live out of the country or you just can’t find your city, then just use Bellevue:

Water quality reports for different cities:

Kirkland: https://www.kirklandwa.gov/files/sharedassets/public/public-works/maintenance-center/pdfs/2020-water-quality-report.pdf (Links to an external site.)

Bellevue: https://bellevuewa.gov/sites/default/files/media/pdf_document/2020/WQR_2020_FINAL.pdf (Links to an external site.)

Redmond: https://www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/640/Water-Quality-Report- (Links to an external site.)

Bothell: http://www.bothellwa.gov/941/Drinking-water (Links to an external site.)

Renton: https://rentonwa.gov/cms/one.aspx?portalId=7922741&pageId=10276092 (Links to an external site.)

Seattle: https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/SPU/Services/Water/Water_Quality_Report_2019.pdf (Links to an external site.)

Step 4: Answer the following questions and upload your answers:

1. Why do people drink bottled water? If you drink it, why? If you don’t, why not?

2. Check your town’s water quality report. Where does your home’s tap water (drinking water) come from? If you depend on a privately owned groundwater well instead, tell us about that well. If a municipal water system, tell us where that water comes from, and read your town’s Annual Drinking Water Report*

3. How clean is your tap water? Look at the table that should be included in the drinking water report for your town. Does it meet the EPA guidelines for every contaminant?

4. Are you worried about the quality of your tap water? Why or why not?

5. Watch The Story of Bottled Water and look at the FAQs. What federal agency is in charge of tap water (drinking water) standards and what are their criteria? What federal agency is in charge of bottled water standards and what are their criteria? Which is stricter?

6. In the USA, we hear advertisements about how bottled water is cleaner and more convenient. Using information from the video and FAQ, list at least three of the concerns and drawbacks to bottled water.

7. The national average cost for water is $2.81 for every 1000 gallons. Do you think this number represents the true value of water? Why or why not?

8. Use this quick water calculator to estimate how many gallons of water you use per day: https://www.home-water-works.org/calculator (Links to an external site.)

What was your estimate:

9. The average American uses 80-100 gallons of water for personal use a day. Were you above or below that average? Why?

10. What are two ways you could decrease your personal water consumption?