Ohio's Source Water
Environmental Education Teams
"Providing Ohioans education and guidance for protecting their drinking water resources."
Ground Water Simulator: Ground water and how it becomes polluted are abstract concepts that are difficult for audiences of any age to understand. Interactive teaching tools such as a ground water simulator have been very effective in demonstrating the impacts of point and nonpoint source pollution on water resources. A ground water simulator demonstrates, through the use of different colored dyes, how water as well as contaminants migrate through the environment and discharge into lakes, streams, and ground water wells.
Ohio SWEETs are using the enVision3000 simulator that demonstrates ground water and contaminant flow in sand and gravel (unconsolidated) and bedrock (consolidated) aquifers. The ground water simulator is also equipped with a leaking underground storage tank and a failing septic system.
The dye used in the simulator is a water-based food coloring and can be found in the baking aisle of most any food store. Blue, red and green food coloring is most visible to an audience.
Rainmaker Simulator: Ohio SWEETs are also using enVision's optional Rainmaker attachment, which can be placed on top of the enVision3000 model to demonstrate recharge to surface and ground water.
Any problems? Contact the Webmaster. Last updated August 31, 2009.