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Water Quality Testing Manual For Middle Schools and High Schools - Free Download
Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

 

cover of Water Quality Manual - MWRA

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(6.3 MB PDF)
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MWRA's "Water Quality Testing Manual" is a
field-based program appropriate middle school and high school students.

It contains background information, lesson ideas, procedures, data collection and reporting forms, suggestions for interpreting the results and extension activities.

Parents, teachers, students and not-for-profit environmental educators are welcome to download the Water Quality Testing Manual free of charge.

Please note that this program tests the environmental quality of water bodies, not the potability of drinking water.

Teachers in MWRA communities may borrow a Water Quality Testing Kit from MWRA. The kit contains equipment for testing temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Nitrates, Total Dissolved Solids and Salinity, Turbidity and Total Coliform Bacteria.

In order to borrow a Water Quality Testing Kit, teachers must attend a full-day workshop. If you would like more information about the kit or the workshop, please contact Meg Tabacsko, (617) 660-7975.

PDF files on this site require Adobe Acrobat Reader® (free download)

DOWNLOAD BY CHAPTER (PDF)
© 1998, 2008 by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority.
"Water Quality, A Field Based Water Quality Testing Program for Middle and High Schools" may be freely copied and distributed for educational purposes.
It may not be sold, transmitted or distributed for profit.

i COVER AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ii. SUMMARY OF TESTS

iii. TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1
Preface

Introduction
Why MWRA Provides this Program
Program Overview
Program Objectives
Target Audience
Structure of Each Lesson

CHAPTER 2
Introduction to Water


Water: A Remarkable - Yet Limited - Substance
The Many Types of Water
Why is Water Quality Important and What Factors Affect Water Quality?

CHAPTER 3
Field Testing Procedures and Notes


How to Select Sites
Safety Considerations
Performing Tests Safely
Choosing Sampling Locations
Work to Be Completed in the Field
Obtaining Permission from a Landowner
What Students Should Wear

CHAPTER 4
Pre-Site Visit Preparation


Site Survey
Water Quality Predictions
Practice with Test Equipment and Procedures in the Classroom
Working in Groups
Additional Materials Recommended for the Field
CHAPTER 5
Post Site Visit Follow-up
CHAPTER 6
The Tests


Test 1: Temperature
Test 2: pH
Test 3: Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Test 4: Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Test 5: Nitrates
Test 6: Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Salinity
Test 7: Turbidity
Test 8: Total Coliform Bacteria
CHAPTER 7
Forms and Handouts


Student Safety
Site Survey Form
Prediction Form
Data Recording Form
CHAPTER 8
References
CHAPTER 9
Contents of the Kit
CHAPTER 10
Purchasing Your Own Kit

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