On the last day of term 2 the year 12 Chemistry class went on an excursion with Sydney Water to learn about water filtration and waste water treatment. The students started at the Orchard Hills water filtration plant where they moved around the site and saw the various stages of how the water for the local area goes from Warragamba Dam to the water that comes out of the tap. They were able to see the various stages of treatment and the processes for each stage.
From there they went to the St Mary’s 
water recycling centre. Here they undertook various activities that 
went through the chemical processes of waste water treatment. They were then taken on a tour around the site and shown the various equipment and chemicals that are used. The students then had the opportunity to conduct various experiments on different water samples to identify the 
samples origin based on their results.
Overall the day was a great opportunity for the students to see their learning in the classroom brought to life and to be able to put their learning into practice. It was a valuable day and I am sure that every time they get a glass of water from the tap they will be thinking of some of the processes that enable them to drink clean, pure water.
