Educational Resources

The City of Durham Department of Water Management strongly promotes water efficiency and has an active public education program.

New! Downloadable Lesson plans

We now have four of our activities available in easy-to-follow lesson plan format. Each one is correlated with North Carolina teaching standards and includes the supplemental pages needed to complete the activity in the classroom or at home. 

Virtual Programming

We now offer activities and presentations virtually. Requests for in-person and virtual presentations or activities can be made through our online form. Please feel free to email savewater@durhamnc.gov or call 919-560-4381 if you would like additional information.

Water Management Mascot, Wayne Drop, with outstretched hands.

POSTER CONTEST

Each year in recognition of National Drinking Water Week, the Conservation Program puts on a poster contest for children in grades K-8.

IMAGINE A DAY WITHOUT WATER VIDEO CHALLENGE

Water Management invites all area students grades 9-12 to develop and compete in the Imagine a Day Without Water video challenge. 

ACTIVITY BOOKS

Our activity books target grades K-3,and cover water conservation and water treatment.

BOOKLETS

For older children (middle school) through adults, we can provide short booklets about drinking water, water conservation, water and wastewater treatment, resourceful landscaping, etc.

PAMPHLETS

We have many pamphlets available for distribution that address water quality, water conservation, wastewater treatment, xeriscaping, proper grease disposal, and more.

PRESENTATIONS

Conservation Program staff can tailor a presentation to appropriate age groups, ranging from basic talks to more elaborate demonstrations. To request a presentation, please complete our presentation request form. Topics include (but are not limited to): 

  • Groundwater - Using a slice of the Earth, we show how water moves underground and how both surface and groundwater can become polluted.
  • Water Treatment - Using a model, we show how raw water is treated before we can drink it.
  • Water Quality and Wastewater Treatment - We review how wastewater is treated, the tests conducted on water and wastewater samples, the water cycle and watersheds. 

ONLINE ACTIVITIES

  • EPA WaterSense Kids - an interactive game and teacher resources
  • Water Rocks.org - An award-winning STEM site all about water  
  • NASA - Offers a set of lesson plans about the water cycle, weather, and technology
  • Edutopia.com - Tons of engaging video links on water, wetlands, and conservation
  • DurhamWater - Our very own YouTube channel brimming with locally produced lessons about water