Creating a Comprehensive Drive to Enhance Understanding About Water Sanitation

The Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts (LACSD) has officially announced the launch of its Clean Water Works Education Foundation (CWWEF), which happens to be a new nonprofit (501(c)(3)) entity dedicated towards educating regarding about the importance of water, sanitation, and environmental issues.

According to certain reports, CWWEF will leverage hands-on programs and events to inform and inspire participants in the context of understanding and engaging with water issues and sustainability efforts across Los Angeles County.

More on that would reveal how the foundation’s offerings, at launch, are likely to include educational tours, in-classroom environmental science labs, and hands-on activities at LACSD facilities, as well as throughout the county to help young learners gauge the real role of water and sanitation in their daily lives, while simultaneously promoting careers in the water and sanitation fields.

“This foundation gives us an opportunity to expand our programs’ reach,” said Cathy Warner, chair of the CWWEF and LACSD boards of directors. “The foundation’s goal is to provide lasting learning experiences that build awareness of water issues and encourage sustainable practices, while establishing a conduit to access funding and grants to amplify and grow these efforts.”

Talk about some of the highlights that underpin CWWEF’s education program, they include a focus on sewer science. Here, the award-winning, hands-on lab program will bring the science of water treatment to life for high school students. Over a period of one week, participants are going to simulate wastewater, treat it using real-world processes, and test its quality. CWWEF has also partnered with Youth Science Center to help its program reach 5,000 students at 50 schools annually.

Next up, there would be a School Bus Tours program, where participants will see a behind-the-scenes look at what happens to wastewater and trash after it leaves homes. Markedly enough, funding is also provided for buses to bring 5th to 12th grade students for free tours of LACSD facilities. The idea behind doing that is to provide an eye-opening experience into the world of waste management.

Moving on, CWWEF has also partnered with Think Earth, a non-profit organization, to help pre-K through 8th grade students access environmental stewardship through fun lessons, colorful posters, and videos. Beyond that, families can also participate through surveys that encourage sustainable habits like conserving resources, reducing waste, and minimizing pollution.

Another non-profit that CWWEF is set to work alongside would be Think Watershed, partnership where students in grades 4-6 will get to explore the region’s watershed, as well as its critical role in protecting the marine environment. The program features hands-on activities and a memorable floating lab boat trip that teaches how human behavior affects water quality, air, and habitats.

Rounding up highlights would be the foundation’s partnership with Grades of Green. This particular partnership will enable students to participate in the Water and Waste Campaigns— four-month competitions where teams develop creative environmental initiatives.

“We see this foundation as a pathway that strengthens our commitment to environmental education, influences more residents, and stimulates future career choices,” said Robert Ferrante, chief engineer and general manager for Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts. “Empowering future generations with knowledge about environmental sustainability is key to ensuring a thriving and resilient community for years to come.”

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