For Students
Welcome to the Students section of the Our Water. Our Future. Ours to Protect. Web site!

You will find activities to teach you about water and how you can help protect the lakes and streams in Southeast Michigan. You can make a difference! Have fun as you learn about our water and the environment.

Our Water 
Water is necessary for life on earth. It can be found as saltwater in our oceans, or as freshwater in our lakes and streams. It is important that we protect our water for the future. We all can help through some of our daily activities at home and in our yards.

What is the Water Cycle?
Did you know that the water that early settlers explored and dinosaurs drank, is the same water we use today? No new water is made! Water simply goes through a form of recycling in what is called the Water Cycle. In the Water Cycle, water goes through changes that make it liquid and vapor over and over again! Here is how the water cycle works. The sun's heat provides energy to evaporate water from the Earth's surface (oceans, lakes, and streams). Plants also lose water to the air (this is called transpiration). The water vapor condenses into tiny droplets forming clouds. When the clouds get heavy with this vapor, water falls to earth in the form of precipitation (rain, snow, hail, or sleet). Some of the precipitation soaks into the ground. Some of this underground water is trapped between rock or clay layers. This is called groundwater. Most of the water, though, flows downhill, eventually flowing back to oceans and lakes.
Source: EnchantedLearning.com

Protecting Our Water
Many people think that most water pollution comes from industries that dump chemicals into the water. The truth is our water can be harmed by things that we do everyday. When it rains, water washes over lawns, sidewalks, and streets. Besides litter, this water picks up chemicals found in lawn fertilizers, bacteria found in pet waste, and oil from cars. This polluted water then enters roadside ditches and the storm drains found in our streets. Large pipes under the ground connect the storm drains to the closest lake or stream — even the ones you don’t see everyday!