Guest Post: Deepening our Conversations on Water with Torri Epperson

Deepening our Conversations on Water

By Torri Epperson, Education Outreach Coordinator | DC Water

Do you know what happens to water after you’ve used it? Do you know where exactly the sewers lead? What about the fact that helpful soil and energy can be created from wastewater? 

In my many interactions with students in the community, these are questions I find that many kids never thought to ask or knew they needed to know. I found in the earliest days of my interactions with students that many could determine that used water goes to the sewers but did not know exactly what might happen after that. Many questioned whether it goes straight to the ocean.

Water use has long been a topic of discussion in our classrooms and homes. The conversation about conservation is important, and DC Water wants to expand the conversation. People are working to use water wisely but protecting the source doesn’t stop there! After we’ve done a load of laundry, washed our hair, or protected our health by washing our hands, what’s the next step for our precious water?

I have experience in the classroom as a STEM educator and I chose to write this book as not only a communication tool but an educational resource that would have value in classrooms and homes in our area.

The world’s most advanced wastewater treatment plant, Blue Plains, is right here in Washington, DC, which sets the perfect backdrop for the topic.  Our beloved Wendy the Water Drop mascot, one of the best storytellers around, brings you along on for a tour of Blue Plains in our new children’s book Wendy, Where Does Our Wastewater Go? answering questions that readers have said traditionally go “out of sight, out of mind.” Thanks to illustrations and design work by local university students, we were able to bring the process to life in a whimsical and engaging way. Our expert engineers and amazing local educators ensured this book is an accurate and relevant resource for the classroom.

Before, during, and after reading this title, I want families to think about their water and their local water company in a holistic and personal way. I hope this title is fun and informative for children of any age and their families, too!

Visit us at www.bluedrop.co or Amazon.com so that you, too can explore where our wastewater goes with Wendy!

–Torri Epperson,  Education Outreach Coordinator | DC Water