People and Water

Introduction 

Water is essential to life and is sacred to Māori. About 70% of the surface of the Earth is covered by water yet only one percent of this water is useable freshwater. With a growing population and increasing use of water, we all need to learn how to better manage this precious  resource.

Every time you make a drink, take a shower, wash the dishes, or go to the loo there is a story about where this water came from and another story about what happens to the remaining wastewater. On this field trip you will trace the journeys of fresh water, in particular drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater and relate these stories to the story of water use in your region and ultimately to your own water use.

Meet Shelley the LEARNZ field trip teacher

Watch the introductory video on vimeo.

Location

The capital city of Wellington is the perfect place to see how our water network operates. The Wellington area has a steady supply of water, but even Wellington can have water shortages. People in the Wellington region use an estimated 240 litres of water per person per day. This is a very large amount compared to people in other countries.

During your field trip to Wellington you will explore a water reservoir and a treatment plant. You will look at how people can use water more wisely. You will discover what happens to water once it enters the drain and meet Wellington locals who are investigating different methods for managing and conserving water.

Thursday 25 May