Whether you are a student, educator or interested community member, there's lots to learn about water! Check out our educational resources, videos, experiments, arts and craft ideas, and more!
Pittsburgh Water Video Lessons
Pittsburgh Water Video Lessons
Watersheds. Why do they matter?
Did you know that you live within a watershed? Everyone does! Learn more about how watersheds work by creating your own watershed model at home using just paper, markers, water, and towels.
Hand washing. How do soap and water clean your hands?
You probably already know that it is important to wash your hands often to stay healthy and prevent the spread of harmful germs. But do you know how the combined power of soap and water gets your hands clean? This demonstration shows a quick hand washing experiment that you can do at home with just cooking oil, soap, and tap water!
Stormwater. How does it impact our rivers and streams?
When it rains, all that water picks up dirt, debris, and pollution left on city streets. It enters our sewer system and can overflow into our rivers and streams. What impact does this have on local waterways? Would you want to go swimming or boating in a river polluted with sewage? Do you think that is good for fish? This demonstration shows the challenges caused by too much rain. Watch and try it at home using this activity guide with materials and instructions!
More Videos
Check out our YouTube Channel to see what we are doing in the community. We are developing more video content to help highlight many of our projects and programs. Click subscribe to see what's coming next!
Elementary School Students
Elementary School Students
DiscoverWater.org
Turn screen time into learning time with free online water games designed for kids ages 7-12! Explore interactive activities and quizzes about different water topics, and build a personalized "Take Action!" poster at DiscoverWater.org.
Test Your WaterSense
Help water-saving hero Flo navigate through a maze of water pipes and answer water-efficiency questions while avoiding Water Waster monsters! Check out the US EPA Test Your WaterSense game and learn more on the US EPA WaterSense for Kids webpage.
Fix a Leak Puzzle Sheet
Help water-saving hero Flo complete these word puzzles to fix water-wasting leaks around the house! This printable US EPA puzzle sheet is available in English or Español. Learn more on the US EPA WaterSense for Kids webpage.
The Basics of Freshwater: Crash Course Kids 14.1
We have a lot of water on Earth, but we can't actually drink most of it. This YouTube episode of Crash Course Kids based on 5th-grade science explains the difference between freshwater and saltwater and why freshwater is so important.
Freddy the Fish Teaches About Stormwater
In this YouTube video created by the North Central Texas Council of Governments, Freddy the Fish explains what happens to rain after it hits the ground, where storm drains lead to, and what we can do to help prevent water pollution.
Pittsburgh Watershed Bingo
Play a game of watershed bingo with this bingo card created by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy! Go on a walk with the card and mark off the living and non-living things related to water that you see.
Pittsburgh One Water Exploration Worksheet
Explore local watersheds using the fun activities in this worksheet created by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for all ages! You'll learn about our local rivers, streams, rainwater, and drinking water.
Water Word Scramble
Flex your brain by unscrambling words and learning water facts! Put the scrambled letters in the correct order to complete the sentences in this US EPA word scramble designed for grades 4-8.
Aquatic Crusader Experiments
Join Darby Duck, the Aquatic Crusader in the fight against water pollution! Try out the seven experiments on the US EPA website to learn about the characteristics of water and how it interacts with other elements in the environment, some of which pollute it.
Stormwater Walk
Be a stormwater sleuth! Take a walk around your home or school and tally things that affect stormwater, such as trees, downspouts, and storm drains. Use this activity designed by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln for grades 4-6 to calculate a stormwater score for your home or school.
Crumpled Watershed Model
Make your own watershed model with just a few sheets of paper! Follow this activity designed by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln for grades 4-6 to make it "rain" over your watershed model and learn how watersheds work.
Green Your Home: Improving Water Conservation
It’s easy to waste water and even easier to take clean water for granted. This activity from Project Learning Tree has questions and tips to help you identify places where you can make changes to save water. Printable versions are available in English and Español.
Green Your Home: Improving Outdoor Spaces
There are many simple things you can do to make your yard, patio, or windows better for your family, wildlife, and the environment. Use the questions in this activity from Project Learning Tree to identify positive changes you can make. Printable versions are available in English and Español.
What's the Value of That Tree?
Trees do more than provide products such as fruits and wood. They also improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and pollution, reduce flood risks due to rainfall, and provide energy savings by reducing the need for heating and cooling. This activity from Project Learning Tree will help you calculate the value of a tree. A printable version is available in English.
Coloring Pages
Learn about the water cycle and good water habits while making art
Middle School Students
Middle School Students
DiscoverWater.org
Turn screen time into learning time with free online water games designed for kids ages 7-12! Explore interactive activities and quizzes about different water topics, and build a personalized "Take Action!" poster at DiscoverWater.org.
Test Your WaterSense
Help water-saving hero Flo navigate through a maze of water pipes and answer water-efficiency questions while avoiding Water Waster monsters! Check out the US EPA Test Your WaterSense game and learn more on the US EPA WaterSense for Kids webpage.
Pittsburgh Water Words Crossword Puzzle
Quiz yourself on water words relevant to Pittsburgh! Fill out this crossword puzzle on the Crossword Labs website or download a printable version. Check your answers using the key.
Take the Stormwater Runoff Challenge
Test your understanding of water facts and pollution with this fun crossword puzzle from the US EPA. The printable crossword puzzle can also be used as a placemat.
Runoff Simulation
Use this animated model created by Stroud Water Research Center to learn how land use and soil together determine whether rainfall infiltrates into the soil, runs off into streams, or is evaporated and transpired by plants.
Model My Watershed
Use this web app created by Stroud Water Research Center to analyze real land use and soil data in your neighborhood or watershed, model stormwater runoff and water-quality impacts, and compare different conservation or development scenarios.
How's My Waterway
Research the condition of your local, state, and national waters using this web app created by the US EPA. Learn about water quality impacts and how you can help protect your local waterways.
Pollution Awareness: What's Wrong with This Picture?
Scout out the scene and look for places where someone's actions might be harming the environment! Check out this detective game on the US EPA website.
Pollution Awareness Word Search Puzzle
Learn more about stormwater pollution and how to prevent it while completing a word search puzzle designed for grades 6-9! Check out the puzzle on the US EPA website or download a printable version.
Pittsburgh One Water Exploration Worksheet
Explore local watersheds using the fun activities in this worksheet created by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for all ages! You'll learn about our local rivers, streams, rainwater, and drinking water.
Water Word Scramble
Flex your brain by unscrambling words and learning water facts! Put the scrambled letters in the correct order to complete the sentences in this US EPA word scramble designed for grades 4-8.
Aquatic Crusader Experiments
Join Darby Duck, the Aquatic Crusader in the fight against water pollution! Try out the seven experiments on the US EPA website to learn about the characteristics of water and how it interacts with other elements in the environment, some of which pollute it.
Stormwater Walk
Be a stormwater sleuth! Take a walk around your home or school and tally things that affect stormwater, such as trees, downspouts, and storm drains. Use this activity designed by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln for grades 4-6 to calculate a stormwater score for your home or school.
Crumpled Watershed Model
Make your own watershed model with just a few sheets of paper! Follow this activity designed by the University of Nebraska - Lincoln for grades 4-6 to make it "rain" over your watershed model and learn how watersheds work.
Green Your Home: Improving Water Conservation
It’s easy to waste water and even easier to take clean water for granted. This activity from Project Learning Tree has questions and tips to help you identify places where you can make changes to save water. Printable versions are available in English and Español.
Green Your Home: Improving Outdoor Spaces
There are many simple things you can do to make your yard, patio, or windows better for your family, wildlife, and the environment. Use the questions in this activity from Project Learning Tree to identify positive changes you can make. Printable versions are available in English and Español.
What's the Value of That Tree?
Trees do more than provide products such as fruits and wood. They also improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and pollution, reduce flood risks due to rainfall, and provide energy savings by reducing the need for heating and cooling. This activity from Project Learning Tree will help you calculate the value of a tree. A printable version is available in English.
High School Students
High School Students
Pittsburgh Water Words Crossword Puzzle
Quiz yourself on water words relevant to Pittsburgh! Fill out this crossword puzzle on the Crossword Labs website or download a printable version. Check your answers using the key.
Take the Stormwater Runoff Challenge
Test your understanding of water facts and pollution with this fun crossword puzzle from the US EPA. The printable crossword puzzle can also be used as a placemat.
Runoff Simulation
Use this animated model created by Stroud Water Research Center to learn how land use and soil together determine whether rainfall infiltrates into the soil, runs off into streams, or is evaporated and transpired by plants.
Model My Watershed
Use this web app created by Stroud Water Research Center to analyze real land use and soil data in your neighborhood or watershed, model stormwater runoff and water-quality impacts, and compare different conservation or development scenarios.
How's My Waterway
Research the condition of your local, state, and national waters using this web app created by the US EPA. Learn about water quality impacts and how you can help protect your local waterways.
Pollution Awareness: What's Wrong with This Picture?
Scout out the scene and look for places where someone's actions might be harming the environment! Check out this detective game on the US EPA website.
Pollution Awareness Word Search Puzzle
Learn more about stormwater pollution and how to prevent it while completing a word search puzzle designed for grades 6-9! Check out the puzzle on the US EPA website or download a printable version.
Pittsburgh One Water Exploration Worksheet
Explore local watersheds using the fun activities in this worksheet created by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy for all ages! You'll learn about our local rivers, streams, rainwater, and drinking water.
Aquatic Crusader Experiments
Join Darby Duck, the Aquatic Crusader in the fight against water pollution! Try out the seven experiments on the US EPA website to learn about the characteristics of water and how it interacts with other elements in the environment, some of which pollute it.
Green Your Home: Improving Water Conservation
It’s easy to waste water and even easier to take clean water for granted. This activity from Project Learning Tree has questions and tips to help you identify places where you can make changes to save water. Printable versions are available in English and Español.
Green Your Home: Improving Outdoor Spaces
There are many simple things you can do to make your yard, patio, or windows better for your family, wildlife, and the environment. Use the questions in this activity from Project Learning Tree to identify positive changes you can make. Printable versions are available in English and Español.
Adults
Adults
When water flows from your tap or goes down your drain, you don’t necessarily think about it. But there’s a lot of science, engineering, maintenance, and thought to make sure your water runs smoothly. If you’ve ever wondered about the water treatment process or how your drinking water gets from the Allegheny River to your kitchen sink, then you’ve come to the right place. Explore the links below to learn about our water, sewer, and stormwater and rainwater systems.
Rain Gardens
Raingarden Plants from the Pennsylvania Agricultural Extension
Layers of a Raingarden
Our Treatment System
Service Area Map
Water Distribution System
Water Treatment Process
Ten Things to Know about Pittsburgh's Sewers
Stormwater
The Fate of Sewage and Stormwater from Medieval Times in Europe to Today in Pittsburgh
Southwestern Pennsylvania's Homeowner's Guide to Stormwater
Defend Your Drains
Stormwater Management and Water Conservation
Preventing Stormwater Pollution in Our Municipal Operations
Educators
Educators
Communicating with your students about our city's water resources and infrastructure can deepen their understanding of how science and technology works to help our communities and our environment every day.
These standards-aligned resources can provide you with content to educate your students on water resources, treatment processes and systems, stormwater management, water quality, climate, environmental stewardship and more!
Looking for More Info About Your Water?
Head to our general Your Water Overview webpage.