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The Eco River flows through time
The water molecules now travelling with Eco River have at one time probably flowed through the same water supply that is close to where you live. If you live near a major city in Canada, chances are there is a major water body nearby. Water is a fundamental part of our history.
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Bird's-eye view of Canada
Look at a map of Canada. Note where most of the major towns and cities are located. You will observe that they are either near the ocean, near other large bodies of water, or have rivers running through them. Why do you suppose this is so?
- List the capital cities of all provinces or territories. What water bodies are they near?
- Research: What is the capital city of your province/territory? What is its relationship with a large body of water? Water supply? Waste disposal? Transportation? Industries?
Canadians are lucky. Canada holds 7% of the world's renewable fresh water – more than its share if water were divided equally among all countries, especially since we have less than 1% of the world's population.
Many people living in rural areas of Africa and Asia do not have access to safe drinking water or proper sanitation facilities. This contributes to a style of living that is very different from ours.
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Fun time
How many words are in environment?
Working alone or with a partner, see how many words of three letters or more that you can make from the word environment.
Set yourself a time limit. Have someone check your list, for accuracy and spelling. Deduct one point if you make a mistake.
Alphabet wildlife
Beginning with the letter A and working your way through the alphabet, list a wild animal for each.
Do the same for plant life.
Coded Message
Decode the environmental message below using the letter and number code provided.
(A)
15,13,25,26,17,23,13,22,15,13,16,6,7
18,26,16,26,12,15,13,10,14,26,11
26,10 6,20,23,9,16 20,15,18,23,22,26,13,4
26,13,8,23,17,22,15,1 6,13,1
4,15,16,16,26,13,4 26,13,25,23,7,25,15,1
(B)
9,10,15 3,6,16,15,17 3,26,10,15,7,24 6,13,1
15,8,8,26,18,26,15,13,16,7,24 - 26,16'10
4,23,23,1 8,23,17 16,14,15
15,13,25,26,17,23,13,22,15,13,16 6,13,1
10,6,25,15,10 22,23,13,15,24!
A=6; B=20; C=18; D=1; E=15; F=8; G=4; H=14; I=26; J=2; K=19; L=7; M=22; N=13; O=23; P=11; Q=5; R=17; S=10; T=16; U=9; V=25; W=3; X=21; Y=24 Z=12
Make up your own message for a friend.
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Water use
Of the water used in an average Canadian household, approximately 30% goes for toilet flushing, 35% for bathing and showering, 20% for laundry, 10% for drinking and kitchen chores, and 5% for cleaning.
- Use a bar graph or circle graph to illustrate these percentages.
- If the average Canadian uses 335 litres per day, calculate how much water your family uses for each of the above.
- How is water priced in your community? Do you use meters to determine how much each household is charged or is there a flat rate which everyone pays no matter how much water is consumed? Why is it a good idea to price water? Which method will control water best, a flat rate or a metered system?
- The average household uses over 26 000 litres of water per month. Today, the cost to this household for 26 500 litres of water varies from $18.92 a month in Quebec to $51.57 in Manitoba. What is the yearly difference between these two provinces? (Why do you think there is such a difference in rates?)
- Check your family's water bills for the past year. What was the total volume of water used? How much was used each month? How does this compare with 35 000 litres? Find the amount of water used in your house each day. Then calculate how much water each person in your house uses each day.
- Brainstorm with your group or class to list how many ways you can conserve water. Think of home use, inside and outside, school use and community use.
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