Share the photo of the wastewater treatment facility and explain that the chemical content of the water must be “just right” before it is released back into the water supply.

Essential Questions:

1. How does carbon dioxide affect our water?

Handouts

• Wastewater Treatment Phenomena Photo
• Storyboard

Classroom Supplies (for 45 students)

• Red cabbage
• 24 Mason jars
• 5 Turkey basters
• Large cooking pots
• Hot plate
• Vinegar
• Lime juice
• Baking soda
• Bleach
• Soap
• Other liquids of varying pH
• Limewater
• Water
• Jar or bottle
• Filter paper
• Straw

Important Links

• Lesson Plan
• Video: Teacher-Author Lesson Walkthrough
• Slides: How is our wastewater cleaned?
• Standford: Red Cabbage Lab
• Clean Water Service Reading
• Exhale Lab Video: Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Limewater (Ca(OH)2)
• Video: Ocean Acidification