Water Quality

Water Quality

Can We Swim in Lake Pontchartrain? An EPA Mystery

Doradine Creek with crusted salt on its banks. (Source: DoW)

Clean drinking water is a necessity for public health. Good water quality is also important for other sources of water. With these resources, you will learn about the parameters that are used to monitor water quality, as well as the consequences poor water quality can have for every aspect of a community's well-being.

Guided Review

Each module will include a combination of readings, videos, and online resources to create an immersive virtual experience. This review is also intended to inspire further investigation, so please explore the resources available below as well as the associated Environmental Explorations

Guided Exploration

Each session includes guidelines and materials to explore the featured topic. Our guided explorations are also designed with space for educators to make the sessions their own!  Use the included materials, or draw from the Resource Toolbox section below to tweak the sessions for your specific needs.

Resource Toolbox

Use these curated resources from a wide variety of organizations to learn more about water pollution. Watch a video or listen in on a webinar. Focus on what kinds of questions the data can answer. Share your lesson plans with us, and we will add them to the collection!. Find answers to your questions. Review Relevant Terms...

 

Articles & Reports

Articles on water quality monitoring and the effects of poor water quality in this collection of articles for use by you and your students.

DIY Resources

Includes directions for building your own deep water sampler and suggestions for assembling a low-cost water quality testing kit.

More Lesson Plans

Water quality focused lesson plans and activities from NOAA, LUMCON, National Geographic, and more.

Online Resources

Interactive tools and websites including "Model My Watershed," Leaf Pack, PC's Lake Pontchartrain Water Quality results, and more.

Webinars & Other Courses

Webinars and online courses on water quality data analysis, community science projects, and more.

Various Data

A variety of water quality data and viewers including U.S. EPA's EnviroAtlas, NOAA's Weather Monitoring Tower at the New Canal Lighthouse, PC's Hydrocoast Maps, and more.

Videos & Podcasts

Includes a podcast on safe water from USGS, a video about the Bonnet Carre Spillway, a PBS special about water quality and pollution, and more.