Writing Contest Winners 2018-2019

Honorable Mention, Grades 6-8

Brian Chen
Grade 7, Atlantic Middle School, Quincy
Ms. Holly Rendle, Teacher

As sunlight starts to fade, storm clouds roll in. Like an electric charge, the lightning gives life to the storm, piercing the somber sky. A single rain droplet fall from the sky, like a domino effect, other droplets follow. As Coral the water droplet fall from the sky, she quivers with excitement. Looking down at the Quabbin Reservoir watershed, she thought of all the possibilities, she could become drinking water, water people bathe in, or water that cleans the filthy dishes. Although she was delighted, she definitely not want to be toilet water. The thought of becoming toilet water made her nauseous.

Closing in on the watershed, she found other water droplets combining together to form a stream. Coral starts flowing into the reservoir with the others she came in contact with soil, rock, and plants, the process made the water sanitary. While passing by Coral enjoyed the beautiful scenery, many trees and flowers, even a butterfly flutters close by. Getting near the reservoir, the sound of birds' chirping abated, and replaces with the sound of flowing waters. She spots people from DCR patrolling the area making sure the water was in pristine quality.

The reservoir is covered by vast areas of water, with the Quabbin Reservoir and the Wachusett reservoir combined it supplies an average of  200 million gallons of water per day. Coral gets near Oakdale, she'll leave the Quabbin Reservoir soon and enter the Wachusett Reservoir. The stream flows toward the Quabbin tunnel.

"Woah, this place is extremely dark, I can't tell if it's night or day," exclaimed Coral.

In the dark, she could barely see, however, Coral spotted something what looked like a giant wheel. She looked ahead staring at the stream in front of her. The turbine was churning the water. This must be the turbine that generates electricity. In the distance, she spotted a faint light. The stream poured out the tunnel.

"Can anyone tell me if this is the Wachusett Reservoir?" questioned Coral. No answer.

Suddenly out of the blue, a voice spoke up. "Yes, this the Wachusett Reservoir, in a few days we'll reach the storage tank.'' answered the mysterious water droplet.

"Thanks, I never caught your name, my name is Coral," replied Coral.

"My name is Marlin, nice to meet you. I aspire to be water that will be used to water the lawn; I want to give life to plants. Although they have trees here near the reservoir, I hope to see trees at a park filled with birds and other tiny critters. However, I also want to be drinking water, helping people stay hydrated throughout the day." said Marlin. Coral agreed, she did think keeping people hydrated was important.

A few days passed, Coral and Marlin both finally reached the storage tanks. Coral and Marlin parted ways, Coral was used to wash hands. Although, she was a little disappointed, she was still useful, she made sure people wouldn't get sick. The stream traveled down the pipe, and into the sewers.
"This places is revolting!" gagged Coral.

Coral makes her way to the Deer Island Treatment Plant, where they treat an average of 365 million gallons of wastewater each day! Using large amounts of electricity, they currently self-generate 26% of its electricity. Thank goodness the industrious engineers built a sophisticated sewer system so the sewage travels safely to the Deer Island Treatment Plant.

She leaves the mud and sand that she brought along with her at the grit chamber, which then will be taken to a landfill for environmentally friendly disposal. Coral flow down to the settling tanks where some toxic chemicals will be removed so she'll be safe to use again. The stream travels down to the secondary treatment plant. Coral is exposed to oxygen, and then she felt a strange tingling feeling. Tiny microorganisms were growing on her, and they were devouring the waste and toxic chemicals. Finally reaching Massachusetts Bay, she travels through the Outfall Tunnel. As soon as she sees the ocean, Coral was aghast, the glittering ocean water clashes against the jagged rocks forming sea foam. At last, she was happy.

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