MWRA 2005-2006 Contest Topics

Background:
The Boston Harbor Project was the central element in the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority's effort to upgrade the area's sewage treatment system and to end Boston Harbor pollution. Construction began in 1989 and ended in 2000. Deer Island now has secondary treated effluent flowing out of an 9.5-mile outfall tunnel into the deep waters of Massachusetts Bay. The harbor has flourished with marine life and commercial boating. The other Boston Harbor Islands have more activities and visitors.

Gr. K-2 poster topic - Create a poster that depicts summer fun on the beaches of Boston Harbor.

Gr. 3-5 poster topic - Create a poster that depicts marine life returning to Boston Harbor.

Gr. 6-8 poster topic - Create a poster that depicts your ideas for fun uses of the Boston Harbor Islands.

HELPFUL LINKS:

On MWRA.COM:

MWRA's Boston Harbor pages
MWRA's The State of Boston Harbor report (an easy-to-read overview of MWRA's Boston Harbor improvements, with lots of photos and illustrations)

Other pages (these links will direct you out of this website):

Boston Harbor Islands National Park website (Boston Harbor Islands' history and recreational opportunities)
Massachusetts Department of Recreation and Conservation website (a good resource for Boston Harbor beach information)

WRITING CONTEST TOPIC 2005-2006: MWRA's WATER AND SEWER SYSTEMS, FROM SOURCE TO SEA

Background:
Over the past decade, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority has invested a lot of time improving the region's water treatment and delivery system. The new John J. Carroll Water Treatment Plant, located in Marlborough, officially began operating on July 27, 2005. The plant supplies high quality drinking water to 41 MWRA communities. This is a good opportunity for students to research and come to understand the public health benefits and engineering concepts involved in a state-of-the-art water supply system.

Gr. 3-5 writing topic - Write about where your drinking water comes from. Trace MWRA's drinking water journey from source to tap.
Gr. 6-8 writing topic - Write about where your drinking water comes from. Trace MWRA's drinking water journey from the source to the tap. Include how and why it is treated.
Gr. 9-12 writing topic - Write about where your drinking water comes from. Trace MWRA's drinking water journey from the source to the tap. In addition, describe what happens to wastewater once it goes down the drain. How is it transported and treated in the MWRA sewer system?

HELPFUL LINKS:

On MWRA.COM:

MWRA's Annual Drinking Water Quality report (an easy-to-read overview of MWRA's water system and annual drinking water quality test results)
MWRA's Integrated Water Supply Improvement Program (an overview of MWRA's most recent water system improvements)
How the Water System Works (an overview of MWRA's water system, links to componnents of the water system)
How the Sewer System Works (an overview of MWRA's sewer system, links to componnents of the sewer system)

Other pages (these links will direct you out of this website):