>>> EXCITING THINGS ARE BUBBLING UP BEHIND US.

HELLO AND WELCOME TO GPB'S WIDE EXPLORATION, GEORGIA'S WATER.

THANKS FOR TUNING IN.

THE GPB EDUCATION TEAM SAID EXPLORATION, BUT MAKE IT LIVE.

AND HERE WE ARE, LIVE, FROM JOHNS CREEK ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPUS IN ROSWELL, GEORGIA.

WE'LL BE EXPLORING THE FRESH WATER SOURCES AND DRINKING SOURCES.

WE PARTNERED WITH THE NORTH PLANNING DISTRICT, THE METRO WATER DISTRICT, TO DIVE IN TO LEARN ABOUT ALL THINGS WATER.

DURING THE SHOW, YOU WILL HEAR FROM A VARIETY OF WATER EXPERTS AS THEY TAKE YOU ON TOURS OF GEORGIA'S FRESH WATER SOURCES AND EXPLAIN HOW THAT WATER IS SUPPLIED TO OUR HOMES, BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS.

YOU'LL GET TO SEE HOW WATER IS TREATED, FROM OUR TOILETS TO TAPS.

THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM, WATER EXPERTS WILL BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, LIVE.

JUST SUBMIT YOUR QUESTION BY SENDING US AN E-MAIL AT EDUCATION AT GBP.ORG.

OR TWEET US.

SEND US A QUESTION VIA TWEET.

AND WE'RE GOING TO BE ASKING YOU SOME QUESTIONS.

GET THOSE DEVICES OUT.

HERE IS YOUR FIRST POP QUIZ.

YOUR FIRST QUESTION IS -- WHERE IS MOST OF THE WORLD'S FRESH WATER STORED?

IS IT LAKES?

GLACIERS?

RIVERS?

OR AQUIFERS?

YOU ONLY CHOOSE ONE WAY TO VOTE.

GO TO GPB.ORG/WATER.

AND USE YOUR CELL PHONE TO SUBMIT YOUR VOTE TO THE PHONE NUMBER.

YOU CAN TEXT US THE ANSWER, 1, 2, 3, OR 4.

430-206-3151.

LET'S GO EXPLORING.

OUR FIRST STOP, THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER RECREATIONAL AREA.

♪♪ >> HI.

I'M JERRY HIGHTOWER.

AS YOU CAN TELL FROM THIS SNAPPY OUTFIT, I'M A PARK RANGER.

AND I WORK HERE AT THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER RECREATIONAL AREA.

MY JOB IS TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND TO SHARE ALL OF THE JOYS AND WONDER THAT IS THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER CORRIDOR.

IT'S ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC.

THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER NATIONAL RECREATIONAL AREA, IS 48 MILES OF THE BEAUTIFUL CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER.

IT STARTS AT BUFORD DAM, AND IT WINDS DOWN AND INTO THE CITY LIMITS OF ATLANTA.

AND ALONG THAT 48 MILES, THERE'S 16 DIFFERENT LAND UNITS.

AND IN THESE LAND UNITS ARE BEAUTIFUL HIKING TRAILS.

AND THIS AREA IS DESIGNED TO PROTECT THE NATURAL AND THE HISTORIC AND THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL VALUES OF THIS 48 MILES OF THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER CORRIDOR.

THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER STARTS HIGH IN THE NORTH GEORGIA MOUNTAINS.

AS THAT WATER BUBBLES AND SEEPS OUT OF THE SAND AND GRAVEL, IT BEGINS ITS JOURNEY DOWN THE STEEP MOUNTAINSIDE.

AND IT QUICKLY GAINS MORE WATER, LITTLE SPRINGS AND TINY TRIBUTARIES ADD THEIR WATER TO IT.

AND SOON, IT BECOMES A RIP-ROARING CRASHING MOUNTAIN STREAM.

AND IT GOES THROUGH THE CITY OF ATLANTA AND CONTINUES ON DOWN.

AND IT SUDDENLY TURNS SOUTH.

AT THAT POINT, IT BECOMES THE BOUNDARY BETWEEN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

AND IT WINDS ITS WAY DOWN.

SUDDENLY, WATERS OF THE FLINT RIVER COME IN TO JOIN THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER AND IT JOINS LAKE SEMINAL.

WHEN IT COMES OUT OF LAKE IT BECOMES A FRESH WATER ECOSYSTEM.

IT'S FED BY RAIN.

DON'T DRINK THE RAINWATER.

IT'S REALLY, REALLY DIRTY.

WHEN IT FALLS IN THE FOREST, 60% OF THE RAIN IS CAUGHT IN THE CANOPY AND EVAPORATES RIGHT BACK IN THE ATMOSPHERE.

THE REMAINING 40% IS NOW SMALLER DROPS AND IT'S FALLING DOWN TO THE FOREST FLOOR, SLOWER THAN WHEN IT ORIGINALLY STARTED.

ON THE FOREST FLOOR, ALL OF THE LEAF LITTER AND THE PINE STRAW GRABS ALL OF THAT WATER AND SOAKS IT UP JUST LIKE A SPONGE.

AND THEN, GRAVITY BEGINS TO PULL ALL THAT WATER UNDERGROUND, DOWNHILL, INTO LITTLE STREAMS THAT ALL FLOW INTO THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER.

THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

IT PROVIDES DRINKING WATER TO MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF THE CITIZENS.

AND YET, IT IS THE SMALLEST WATERSHED IN ALL OF THE UNITED STATES SERVING THIS MANY PEOPLE.

SO, EVERY SINGLE PERSON ALONG THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER AFFECTS THAT RIVER.

AND THEIR ACTIONS OR INACTIONS ARE GOING TO DETERMINE IF WE HAVE A HEALTHY, CLEAN RIVER OR NOT.

IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE REALIZE THAT WATER DOESN'T COME OUT OF THE FAUCET.

IT COMES FROM RIVERS AND LAKES AND STREAMS AND SOMETIMES WELLS DRILLED DEEP INTO THE EARTH.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHERE THE WATER COMES FROM SO WE CAN PROTECT THE SOURCES AND MAKE SURE THE WATER STAYS CLEAN AND HEALTHY.

THERE'S LOTS YOU CAN DO TO CONSERVE WATER.

WHEN YOU'RE BRUSHING YOUR TEETH, TURN THE WATER OFF WHEN YOU BRUSH.

TAKE SHORT SHOWERS.

ALWAYS WASH YOUR DISHES WITH A DISHWASHER BECAUSE THAT USES LESS WATER.

BE CAREFUL ABOUT WATERING THE LAWN.

MAYBE IT DOESN'T NEED WATERING AT ALL.

AND SO, WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH HOW WE USE WATER AND KEEP IN MIND THAT WE WANT TO CONSERVATIVE IT ALL THE TIME.

WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THIS IS ALL THE WATER WE'RE GOING TO HAVE.

WE NEVER CAN MAKE MORE WATER MOLECULES.

THE WATER WE'RE DRINKING TODAY IS THE SAME WATER THE DINOSAURS USED.

WE JUST KEEP USING IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

AND SO, IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE CARE OF THIS PRECIOUS RESOURCE.

>> WOW, IT'S AMAZING WHAT WE HAVE IN OUR OWN BACKYARDS.

JOINING ME NOW IS SARA SKINNER.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE METRO WATER DISTRICT FIRST AND TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU DO.

>> SURE.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

THE METRO WATER DISTRICT IS A REGIONAL WATER PLANNING AGENCY.

WE ESTIMATE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LIVE IN THE METRO REGION IN THE FUTURE AND WE PLAN FOR ALL OF THE WATER AND THE WASTE WATER SERVICES THAT ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO NEED.

AND WE LOOK AT HOW WE CAN DEVELOP OUR LAND BETTER TO HAVE FEWER NEGATIVE EFFECTS FROM STORM WATER RUNOFF.

I GET TO DO OUTREACH.

THAT MEANS I GET TO PARTICIPATE ON EVENTS LIKE THIS.

MYSELF AND THE PEOPLE YOU SEE TODAY, ARE A HANDFUL OF THE THOUSANDS OF WATER PROFESSIONALS ACROSS THE STATE THAT ARE CRITICAL TO KEEPING THE WATER RESOURCES CLEAN AND HEALTHY.

>> THOUSANDS.

THAT'S UNDERSTANDABLE.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT FIRST WEEK OF MAY IS DRINKING WATER WEEK.

TELL US ABOUT THAT.

>> DRINKING WATER WEEK IS A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN.

IT'S TO BRING AWARENESS TO KEEPING OUR WATER RESOURCES CLEAN AND HEALTHY AND THE THINGS WE CAN DO TO TAKE CARE OF THEM.

IT'S DRINKING WATER THIS WEEK, BUT WE CAN CELEBRATE ALL YEAR LONG.

>> NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENCE TO LEARN ABOUT OUR DRINKING WATER.

EARLIER, WE ASKED OUR FIRST QUIZ QUESTION, THAT SAID WHERE IS MOST OF THE FRESH WATER IS STORE?

HERE'S WHAT OUR AUDIENCE SAID.

SARA, YOU KNOW IT.

WHAT IS THE RIGHT ANSWER?

>> THE RIGHT ANSWER IS GLACIERS.

THAT MAY BE SURPRISING SINCE WE DON'T HAVE GLACIERS HERE IN GEORGIA.

OF ALL OF THE FRESH WATER ON EARTH, 70% OF THAT WATER IS LOCKED UP IN GLACIERS.

IN GEORGIA, WE GET OUR WATER FROM SURFACE WATER SOURCES, LIKE LAKES AND RIVERS OR DEEP UNDER GROUND.

>> YOU HAVE HANDY VISUALIZATION.

>> OUR PLANET IS CALLED THE BLUE PLANET.

71% OF EARTH'S SURFACE IS COVERED IN WATER.

IMAGINE THIS PICTURE REPRESENTS ALL OF THE WATER ON EARTH.

96% OF THAT WATER WOULD BE SALT WATER.

IT'S IN THE OCEAN.

HUMANS CAN'T USE IT READILY.

PLANTS AND ANIMALS CAN'T READILY USE IT, EITHER.

THIS RIGHT HERE, THIS AMOUNT OF WATER REPRESENTS THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT'S FRESH THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE ON EARTH.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, A LOT OF THAT WATER, 70%, IS LOCKED UP IN GLACIERS.

>> UNAVAILABLE TO US.

HOW MUCH OF THIS WATER IS FOR US TO USE, TO DRINK AND IRRIGATE OUR CROP AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> MY FINGER, A LITTLE TINY DROP ON THE END OF MY FINGER.

THAT REPRESENTS THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT WE HAVE READILY AVAILABLE FOR US TO USE.

>> THAT'S ALL?

>> THAT'S IT.

>> OKAY.

WATER IS TRULY A PRECIOUS RESOURCE.

EVERY DROP COUNTS, SARA.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM OUR AUDIENCE.

IT'S BRYSON AT MRS. JOHNSON'S THIRD GRADE CLASS AT PLEASANT GROVE ELEMENTARY.

WHY CAN'T PEOPLE DRINK SALT WATER?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

>> THE SALT CONTENT IS WAY TOO HIGH FOR OUR BODIES TO PROCESS.

WE COULD DRINK SALT WATER.

THERE'S A TREATMENT PROCESS THAT IT HAS TO GO THROUGH.

THAT'S QUITE EXPENSIVE AND COSTLY TO THE ENVIRONMENT, AS WELL.

>> THAT'S A NO-NO.

DON'T FORGET TO SEND US USING YOUR QUESTIONS ON TWITTER OR AT GPB.ORG.

WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION HERE.

GAYEL, FROM MISS HINGLE'S CLASS, WHO CREATES WATER POLLUTION?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

A LOT OF WATER POLLUTION COMES FROM HUMANS ENACTING WITH THEIR ENVIRONMENT.

LOOK AT A FOOD WRAPPER.

THE FOOD WRAPPER KEEPS OUR FOOD CLEAN AND SAFE FOR US TO EAT.

WHEN SOMEONE TOSSES THAT FOOD WRAPPER ON THE GROUND, IT BECOMES LITTER AND CAN WIND UP IN OUR WATER SYSTEM AND BECOME WATER POLLUTION.

>> IT'S OUR FAULT.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE INTERACT WITH OUR ENVIRONMENT IN POSITIVE WAYS.

IS THERE A PARTICULAR TYPE OF WATER SOURCE THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT FOR WATER POLLUTION IN OUR ENVIRONMENT?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

WE LOOK AT THE HELL OF OUR RIVERS, OUR BIG RIVERS AND THE SMALL CREEKS THAT ARE FEEDING THE RIVERS.

I HAVE A DEMONSTRATION TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND HOW A RIVER SYSTEM WORKS.

>> I WOULD LOVE IT.

I LOVE A DEMONSTRATION.

>> HOLD UP YOUR FINGERS.

>> ARE WE GOING TO DANCE?

>> WE'RE GOING TO DANCE.

THE FINGERS REPRESENT THE LITTLE STREAMS THAT ARE IN THE WATER SYSTEM.

AND THE STREAMS GO INTO YOUR ARMS.

WE HAVE STREAMS AND CREEKS.

AND THE STREAMS AND CREEKS ARE FLOWING INTO THE RIVER.

YOUR BODY REPRESENTS THE RIVER.

>> I SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING.

>> THE RIVER IS THE WATER SYSTEM.

>> WE TURNED OUR BODY INTO A BODY OF WATER.

MY LAST NAME IS GERMAN FOR WATER.

>> PERFECT.

>> SPEAKING OF BODIES, JEREMIAH AT PLEASANT GROVE WANTS TO KNOW, WHY THE HUMAN BODY NEEDS WATER IN THE FIRST PLACE?

BACK TO THE BASICS.

>> WE NEED WATER.

OUR BODIES ARE MADE OF WATER.

60% OF THE HUMAN BODY IS MADE UP OF WATER.

WE NEED WATER FOR OUR JOINTS TO MOVE, OUR ORGANS TO PROCESS AND REMOVE WASTE.

>> LET'S CONTINUE OUR JOURNEY.

WE'RE HEADED TO CLAYTON COUNTY SOUTH OF ATLANTA.

TAKE A LOOK.

♪♪ >> MY NAME IS KEVIN OSBY.

I'M THE STORM WATER PROGRAM DIRECTOR HERE AT CLAYTON COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY.

STORM WATER IS JUST LIKE IT SOUNDS.

IT'S RAINWATER THAT FALLS FROM THE SKY DURING A STORM EVENT.

MOST OF THIS RAINWATER CAN SOAK INTO THE GROUND THROUGH GRASSES OR FOREST.

BUT A LOT OF AREAS WHERE WE HAVE DEVELOPMENT, WE HAVE HARD SURFACES, SUCH AS ROADWAYS, PARKING LOTS, SIDEWALKS, HOMES, BUILDINGS.

IN THOSE CASES, WATER CAN'T SOAK INTO THE GROUND.

THAT TENDS TO RUN OFF.

ANY OF THE RUNOFF IS CONSIDERED STORM WATER RUNOFF.

MOST OF THE CASES, IF YOU ARE IN AN URBAN AREA, IT WILL GO TO A CATCH BASIN.

AND THE CATCH BASIN IS A DEVICE THAT CATCHES STORM WATER RUNOFF.

IT GOES UNDERNEATH THE SURFACE AND GOES THROUGH A SERIES OF STORM DRAIN LINES.

STORM DRAIN LINES CAN GO ALONG A ROADWAY, OFF OF ROADWAYS, INTO PRIVATE PROPERTIES, BACK INTO DITCHES THAT WILL FLOW TO A CREEK, STREAM, TRIBUTARY OR LAKE.

IF YOU'RE ON THE COAST, DIRECTLY TO THE OCEAN.

YOU PULL BEHIND SOMEONE IN A CAR AND THEY TAKE AN ASHTRAY AND DUMP IT OUT THE SIDE OF THEIR WINDOW, THAT'S HITTING THE STREET.

ALL OF THAT TRASH WILL EVENTUALLY MAKE ITS WAY TO A CASH BASIN AND INTO OUR STORM DRAIN SYSTEM AND RIGHT ON OUT TO OUR CREEKS AND RIVERS OR LAKES.

IF YOU HAVE DEBRIS AND SETMENT AND TRASH BUILT UP, THAT WATER WON'T BE ABLE TO FLOW NATURALLY THROUGH THE STORM DRAIN.

IT CAN BACK UP ON THE ROADWAY OR BACK UP ON SOMEONE'S PROPERTY AND CAUSE FLOODING DAMAGE.

AND FLOODING CAN CAUSE ALL KINDS OF OTHER UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

IF A HOUSE IS FLOODED, WATER CAN GET INTO THAT HOUSE.

IT CAN DAMPEN THE FLOORS.

IT CAN DAMPEN ALL OF THE WALLS AND CAUSE MOLD AND MILDEW AND OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS FOR THAT RESIDENCE.

WHERE IT IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE STORM DRAINS CLEAR OF ANYTHING THAT ISN'T SUPPOSED TO BE IN THERE.

WE NEED WATER.

DRINK WATER.

WE NEED WATER TO COOK.

WE USE WATER TO TAKE A SHOWER OR BATH.

YOU DON'T WANT IT TO GET IN THE STORM DRAIN BECAUSE IT CAN POLLUTE THE WATER.

WHEN YOU GET HOME, AT THE END OF THE DAY, YOU WANT TO TURN YOUR WATER ON AND DRINK YOU SOME WATER.

IT'S BEST YOU KEEP THE STORM DRAIN CLEAN TO HAVE CLEAN WATER.

THE WAY KIDS CAN HELP TAKE CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT, IS NOT TO THROW TRASH OUTSIDE OR TO LITTER.

YOU KNOW?

YOU CAN'T JUST THROW ANYTHING OUTSIDE.

THEY CAN ALSO EDUCATE YOUR PARENTS AND LET THEM KNOW, WHEN YOU GO IN THE MORNING, DON'T TAKE THAT WRAPPER AND THROW IT OUT THE WINDOW.

IT WILL END UP IN A STORM DRAIN.

SOME OF THE ITEMS WE FOUND IN THE STORM DRAIN, TIRES, RIMS, BICYCLES, DIFFERENT THINGS FROM DIFFERENT HOMES, TRASH.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO DISPOSE OF MATERIALS BECAUSE THE MATERIALS CAN END UP ON THE GROUND AND THE RAIN CAN PUSH IT INTO A STORM DRAIN AND IT CAN CAUSE A STORM DRAIN TO BACK UP OR FLOOD.

THE VACUUM TRUCK, IT IS A VACUUM ON WHEELS.

BUT IT IS A HIGH-PRESSURE VACUUM.

IT'S DESIGNED TO SUCK UP DEBRIS, MUD AND OTHER OBJECTS THAT WE FIND IN STORM DRAINS.

IT HAS A HIGH WATER PRESSURE HOSE ON IT TO MOVE THE DEBRIS.

ONCE WE SUCK UP THE MATERIAL OR THE DEBRIS IN THE VAC TRUCK, IT GOES TO THE TANK.

WE HAVE A PIT WHERE WE DUMP ALL OF THE SOLIDS THAT SEPARATE FROM THE WATER, THAT WE'RE ABLE TO SCOOP THEM UP AND TAKE THEM TO A LANDFILL.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS ABOUT MY JOB IS ABLE TO SEE A HAPPY CUSTOMER.

JUST LAST WEEK, WE HAD A MAJOR RAIN.

AND ONE CUSTOMER WAS FLOODED PRETTY BAD.

SHE WAS RELIEVED TO COME OUT AND CLEAN THE PIPE AND GET THE WATER FROM HER YARD.

>> WHAT DO I LOVE ABOUT MY JOB?

>> A DRIVABLE VACUUM?

I LOVE VACUUMING.

WE HEARD ABOUT THE STORMS AND WHY THE STORM DRAINS ARE SO IMPORTANT IN COLLECTING AND REDIRECTING THAT WATER.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO OUR AUDIENCE, WHERE THE WATER COMES FROM?

>> RAIN OR PRECIPITATION IS A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF THE WATER PSYCH.

AND THE WATER CYCLE IS THE MOVEMENT ON EARTH.

THERE'S FOUR BASIC STEPS TO THE WATER CYCLE, EVAPORATION, CONDENSATION, PRECIPITATION AND COLLECTION.

THERE'S A SIMPLE EXPERIMENT YOU CAN DO AT HOME TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THIS.

WE HAVE TAKEN A BAGGY AND PRELABELED THEM WITH THE STEPS.

EVAPORATION IS WHEN THE SUN HEATS THE WATER AND RISES TO THE AIR IN THE FORM OF GAS OR A VAPOR.

IT CONDENSES WHEN IT COOLS DOWN.

WHEN IT CONDENSES, IT CREATES THE CLOUDS.

AND PRETTY SOON THE WATER GETS HEAVY.

IT WILL FALL TO THE EARTH IN THE FORM OF PRECIPITATION OR RAIN, SLEET AND SNOW.

WHEN IT FALLS, IT WILL HIT THE GROUND AND A LARGER BODY OF WATER COLLECTS UP IN AN OCEAN, LAKE OR RIVER.

>> WE CALL THAT PROCESS THE WATER CYCLE BECAUSE IT HAPPENS OVER AND OVER.

>> IT HAPPENS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

THE SAME WATER, OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

I'LL TELL YOU HOW TO DO THE EXPERIMENT NOW.

YOU FILL THE BAG UP TO THE LINE WATER.

AND YOU DROP FOOD COLORING IN IF YOU LIKE TO, TAPE IT TO A WINDOW, THAT GETS A LOT OF NATURAL LIGHT AND COME BACK IN AN HOUR.

>> WE DID THIS AHEAD OF TIME.

LOOK AT WHAT'S HAPPENING.

EXPLAIN THAT TO US.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

THE SUN HAS HEATED THE WATER INSIDE.

AND IT HAS CAUSED THE CONDENSATION TO RISE TO THE TOP, THE EVAPORATION TO RISE TO THE TOP.

IT'S STARTING TO CONDENSE.

YOU SEE PRECIPITATION FORM.

>> RAIN IN A BAG.

IT DOESN'T GET MUCH BETTER THAN THAT.

>> WE HAVE A QUESTION COMING IN.

THIS ONE FROM JASON, FROM RICHMOND HILL, GEORGIA.

JASON WANTS TO KNOW WHAT MATERIAL ARE WATER PIPES MADE OF?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

PAT WATER PIPES ARE MADE OF IRON OR A SPECIAL PLASTIC CALLED PVC.

THIS IS A PVC PIPE.

IT'S DURABLE AND DOESN'T BREAK EASILY.

HISTORICALLY, WATER PIPES HAVE BEEN MADE OF CLAY, CONCRETE AND EVEN WOOD.

>> THAT'S AN INTERESTING CHOICE.

WHY WOOD?

>> A LONG TIME AGO, PEOPLE WOULD HOLLOW OUT A TREE DRUNK.

AND THEY WOULD USE THAT AS A WATER PIPE.

THEY WOUND WIND WOOD TOGETHER TO MAKE A SEWER PIPE.

>> IT'S NATURALLY WATERPROOF.

HOW INVENTIVE.

LIVE QUESTIONS COMING IN FROM OUR AUDIENCE.

LET'S CHECK THOSE OUT NOW.

NICO, A STUDENT AT CHEATHAM HILL ELEMENTARY ASKS, IF I USE WATER FOR PLAY OUTSIDE, AM I WASTING WATER?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

YOU CAN PLAY IN THE WATER OUTSIDE.

THAT'S PART OF AWESOME SUMMERTIME ACTIVITIES.

IT'S PART OF HOW WE CONNECT WITH WATER, PLAYING IN THE WATER.

AT TIMES OF DROUGHT, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DON'T HAVE RESTRICTIONS THAT WOULD PREVENT YOU FROM USING WATER IN THAT WAY.

>> IN THE ABSENCE OF THOSE, FUN TO HAVE FUN.

>> AND ZETA WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING YOUR JOB?

>> I HAVE BEEN DOING MY JOB FOR FOUR YEARS.

I LOVE TALKING TO PEOPLE AND TALKING ABOUT WATER CONSERVATION AND PREVENTION.

>> YOU'RE A WELL OF INFORMATION.

I KNOW YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO THE NEXT POP QUIZ.

LET'S SEE IF THE AUDIENCE KNOWS.

YOUR NEXT QUESTION -- WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS SAFE TO GO DOWN KITCHEN SINK.

IS IT FLUSHABLE WIPES?

MEDICATION?

FAT, OILS AND GREASE?

OR ORANGE JUICE?

YOU CAN TEXT US.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ANSWERING ALL OF THE QUESTIONS FOR US.

>> ANYTIME.

>> NOW, IT'S TIME TO HEAD TO THE NEXT LOCATION.

OH.

IT'S RIGHT HERE.

THE JOHNS CREEK ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPUS.

CONVENIENT.

♪♪ THE JOHNS CREEK ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPUS, IS A STATE-OF-THE-ART WASTE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY LOCATED IN ROSWELL, GEORGIA.

AND IT INCLUDES PART OF THE CITY OF ROSWELL, ALPHARETTA AND JOHNS CREEK.

THE WATER TREATMENT CYCLE IS YOU PULL WATER FROM A FRESH WATER SOURCE.

THIS AREA OF THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER.

WE SEND IT TO A DRINKING WATER TREATMENT FACILITY.

THEY DO TREATMENT AND GET IT CLEAN.

THEY SEND IT IN PIPES UNDERGROUND TO YOUR HOMES AND BUSINESSES.

SO, WHEN YOU TURN THE FAUCET ON, YOU USE THAT WATER.

IT CHANGES TO WASTE WATER ONCE YOU USE IT.

IT GOES DOWN THE SEWER PIPE.

UNLESS YOUR HOUSE IS ON WHAT IS CALLED A SEPTIC SYSTEM, THAT WASTE WATER IN THE SEWER LINES IS TAKEN TO A BASIN AREA.

WE TREAT IT AND CLEAN IT AGAIN.

AND THEN, WE PUT IT RIGHT BACK INTO THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER, SO THAT DOWNSTREAM RIVER HAS WATER TO USE.

THE WASTE WATER COMES IN BY GRAVITY, ABOUT PIPELINES THAT ARE 60 FEET UNDERGROUND.

AND IT COMES IN THROUGH A PUMPING AREA.

IN THAT AREA, THERE'S CHOPPERS THAT POP UP ANY SOLIDS IN THE WATER.

WHEN THE WATER REACHES THAT SCREEN, WE'RE DRAINING OUT ALL OF THE THINGS WE CHOPPED UP.

WHAT YOU'RE DOING HERE IS YOU'RE SENDING WATER TO DIFFERENT AREAS.

YOU'RE TAKING SOMETHING DIRTY OUT.

YOU'RE PUSHING THE CLEANER WATER TO THE NEXT AREA AND TAKING SOMETHING DIRTY OUT AND THE PROCESS CONTINUES.

WE'RE GOING TO SEND THE WATER TO WHAT IS CALLED GRIT REMOVAL.

AND GRIT IS GRAVEL, SAND AND ROCKY SEDIMENT.

THAT NEXT AREA IS CALLED A PRIMARY CLARIFIER.

THEY'RE JUST BIG BASINS THAT THE WATER IS SETTLED.

THINGS ARE SETTLING DOWN TO THE BOTTOM.

THEY CALL THAT SLUDGE.

THE CLEANER WATER IS ON TOP.

AND THE CLEANER WATER HAS A LAYER OF SCUM, FAT, OILS AND GREASE, THAT PEOPLE SHOULDN'T PUT IN THEIR SINK.

WE'RE MOVING THAT THROUGH THE SCREENS THROUGH A WASH FACTOR AND GET RID OF IT.

AFTER THE WATER HAS GONE THROUGH THE PRIMARY CLARIFIER AND THINGS HAVE SETTLED, WE WILL FORCE THAT WATER THROUGH FINE SCREENS.

AND THE FINE SCREENS ARE DIFFERENT THAN THE COARSE SCREENS BECAUSE THEY HAVE EVEN SMALLER OPENINGS.

ONCE THE WATER GOES THROUGH THE FINE SCREENS AND WE FIND THINGS LIKE HAIR AND DIFFERENT SMALL PARTICLES, WE CAN FORCE THAT WATER TO WHAT IS CALLED THE BIOLOGICAL PROCESS.

WE CALL THAT THE BUG PARTY.

WE'RE USING THE BACTERIA MICROORGANISMS.

AND THEY WILL BREAK DOWN AND CONSUME ORGANIC MATTER IN THE WATER.

AND SO, THEY'RE HAVING THEIR BUG PARTY.

THAT'S THEIR FOOD.

ONCE THEY'VE DONE THEIR JOB, THEY ARE ALSO GOING TO REMOVES TO PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN.

IT CAN CAUSE ALGAE BLOOM.

WE HAVE TO PAY ATTENTION TO EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE DOING.

THE WATER IS GOING BACK TO THE RIVER.

AFTER THE BIOLOGICAL PROCESS, WE FORCE THAT WATER THROUGH OUR SIGNATURE PROCESS.

THAT'S THE BIO REACTOR.

THEY'RE HOLLOW AND THEY HAVE THOUSANDS OF HOLES ALONG THE SIDE.

AND BASICALLY, THEY'RE GOING TO SUBMERGE THE STRANDS IN THE WATER.

WE'RE GOING TO FORCE THE WATER THROUGH THE SIDES OF THE STRANDS.

WE'RE ONLY PULLING OUT CLEAN WATER.

IT'S 0.4 MICRONS.

IT'S SO SMALL AND SERVES AS A BARRIER AND KEEPS THE NASTY STUFF IN THE BASEMENT.

AND PULLS THE CLEAN WATER THROUGH.

THAT WATER IS CALLED PERMEATE.

WE WILL SEND IT UNDER WHAT IS CALLED AN ULTRAVIOLENT PROTECTION.

AND THE ULTRAVIOLENT IS A VERY STRONG LIGHT.

WHEN THE WATER GOES UNDER THAT LIGHT, ANY BACTERIA IS DESTROYED.

IT HAS A LOW OXYGEN LEVEL, TOO.

WE PUT IT BACK IN THE RIVER.

WE HAVE TO ADD OXYGEN.

WHEN THE WATER GETS TO THE PROPER LEVELS, WE PUT THAT WATER RIGHT BACK INTO THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER.

AND BASICALLY, THAT REGULATES INTO THE RIVER SYSTEM.

GO RIGHT AEFR THAT AREA.

WE'RE PERMITTED TO TREAT UP TO A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF IT THAT IS REUSED.

THAT MEANS THE WATER IS CLEAN ENOUGH TO USE, BUT NOT DRINKABLE GRADE.

IT'S CLEAN ENOUGH FOR US TO PUT IN A TOILET.

WE CAN USE IT FOR FIRE PROTECTION, AS WELL AS OUR LANDSCAPE.

WHAT THE MAJORITY OF THAT WATER DOES GO INTO THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER.

ONE THING THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO DO MORE OF, IS NOT POUR THE FAT, OILS AND GREASE DOWN THE DRAIN.

WHEN YOU'RE FINISHED EATING, DON'T THROW THE FOOD TO THE SINK.

SWEEP IT INTO THE TRASH.

THINGS THAT GO INTO THAT SYSTEM HAVE TO BE CLEANED OUT.

JUST TRY TO KEEP IT IN A POOL OF WATER.

>> THE WATER TREATMENT IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN THIS WATER FACILITY.

JOINING ME IS DAVID, THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR FOR FULTON COUNTY, GEORGIA.

>> ASHLEY, THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS FOR FULTON COUNTY.

I MANAGE THE TRANSPORTATION, ROADWAYS AND WATER SYSTEMS IN FULTON COUNTY.

MOST OF MY DAY, I SPEND MAKING SURE THAT THE CITIZENS OF FULTON COUNTY HAVE SAFE DRINKING WATER TO DRINK.

AS WELL AS TO TREAT THE WASTE WATER THAT WE USE IN PEOPLE'S HOMES AND GOES DOWN THE DRAIN.

AND WE CLEAN IT HERE, BEFORE WE RETURN IT TO THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER.

>> THAT'S A BIG JOB.

THANKS TO YOU AND EVERYONE WORKING HERE.

WE HAVE WATER THAT GOES BACK TO THE CHATTAHOOCHEE THAT LOOKS LIKE THIS, RIGHT?

>> IT COMES TO US, LOOKING LIKE THIS.

TEN HOURS AFTER IT GOT HERE, GOING TO THE TREATMENT PROCESS, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS.

A DAY AFTER IT COMES TO US, WE RETURN IT TO THE CHATTAHOOCHEE, LOOKING LIKE THAT.

>> IT LOOKS CLEAR TO ME.

VERY IMPRESSIVE.

AND CAN ANYONE VISIT THE JOHNS CREEK CAMPUS TO LEARN ABOUT THE WATER TREATMENT PROCESS HERE.

>> DEFINITELY.

WE LOVE HAVING STUDENT TROOPS COME THROUGH HERE.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO REACH OUT TO THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITY TREATMENT PLANT AND ASK FOR A TOUR.

>> RIGHT IN THEIR TOWN OR CITY.

FANTASTIC.

THESE PLACES ARE LEGIT.

I CAN VOUCH.

WE LEARNED THAT WASTE WATER COMING IN FROM SEWER PIPES ARE TREATED.

BUT JAMES WANTS TO KNOW HOW SEPTIC TANKS ARE FILTERED.

SEPTIC TANKS ARE WORKING THE WAY THE WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT WORKS.

THE WATER LEAVES YOUR HOUSE AND GOES INTO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT CHAMBERS OF A TANK IN YOUR BACKYARD.

FROM THERE, IT GETS TREATER BIOLOGICALLY.

AND IT GETS RELEASED BACK INTO THE GROUND FROM YOUR BACKYARD, WHICH MAKES ITS WAY INTO CREEKS, RIVERS AND -- >> SIMILARLY.

IT GOES BACK TO THE WATER SOURCES.

AND MILLIE, FROM MISS SNYDER'S CLASS AT POPLAR ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WANTS TO KNOW WHY IS WATER CLEAR?

>> BASICALLY WATER IS CLEAR BECAUSE IT'S MADE UP OF TWO GASES, HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN.

WHEN THOSE TWO BOND TOGETHER, THEY CREATE A CLEAR LIQUID.

IT ONLY CREATES COLOR WHEN OTHER THINGS ARE ADDED TO IT, EITHER BY PURPOSE OR THROUGH POLLUTION AND OTHER THINGS.

>> OKAY.

WE WANT IT TO BE CLEAR.

THAT'S HEALTHY WATER.

WE HAVE LIVE QUESTIONS, COMING IN OUR iPAD.

I'LL GO TO THOSE NOW.

STUDENTS FROM MISS GONZALES' CLASS WANT TO KNOW, HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO CLEAN WATER THAT IS DIRTY?

>> SURE.

IT TAKES ABOUT 24 HOURS.

EACH TREATMENT PLANT HAS A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT PROCESS.

SOME CAN BE TREATED IN ABOUT 8 OR 12 HOURS.

SOME TAKE LONGER.

24 HOURS IS USUALLY THE RULE OF THUMB.

>> A DAY.

SO MUCH CAN BE DONE IN A DAY.

SAMUEL, A FIFTH GRADER ASKS, WHAT HAPPENS TO ALL OF THE DIRTY STUFF THAT COMES INTO WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS.

JUST REAL QUICK.

>> SURE.

MOST OF IT GOES BACK TO THE LANDFILL.

>> THAT WAS A QUICK ANSWER.

I LOVE IT.

DAVID, YOU CLEARLY KNOW YOUR STUFF.

YOU'RE THE PERFECT PERSON TO ANSWER THIS QUIZ QUESTION.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS SAFE TO GO DOWN THE KITCHEN SINK?

HERE'S HOW OUR AUDIENCE RESPONDED.

THOSE ARE THE RESULTS.

WHICH IS THE CORRECT ONE?

>> ORANGE JUICE.

ORANGE JUICE IS A NONCORROSIVE, NONGREASY LIQUID THAT WON'T CORRODE, BREAK DOWN YOUR PIPES OR CLOG THE PIPES, EITHER.

>> WHY DON'T WE PUT MEDICATIONS, OILS AND GREASE OR FLUSHABLE PIPES DOWN THE SINK?

>> WHATEVER YOU FLUSH DOWN THE TOILET OR PUT DOWN THE SINK, WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH WHEN IT GETS TO THESE PLANTS.

WE WANT AS NATURAL A PRODUCT AS POSSIBLE.

MEDICATIONS WILL DISSOLVE IN WATER, AND THE CHEMICALS WILL STAY WITH THE WATER.

WE DON'T WANT THAT IN OUR DRINKING WATER.

FATS, OILS AND GREASE, WE CALL FOG, WILL HARDEN OVER TIME AND CREATE CLOGS IN YOUR PIPES.

THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A FLUSHABLE WIPE.

YOU NEED TO STAKE TO TOILET PAPER.

>> IF A PRODUCT SAYS IT'S FLUSHABLE, DON'T TRUST IT.

>> IT'S NOT.

IT MAY BE FLUSHING -- FLUSHABLE THROUGH THE TOILET.

ONCE IT GETS INTO THE SYSTEM, IT WILL CLOG YOUR PIPES.

AND IT CREATES HEADACHES HERE AT THE TREATMENT PLANTS, DURING THE TREATMENT PROCESS.

GUYS.

WE DON'T WANT TO CAUSE PROBLEMS.

WE'RE ALL ABOUT EXPERIMENTS HERE.

CAN YOU SHOW THOUSAND THE DIFFERENT MATERIALS BEHAVE SO DIFFERENTLY IN WATER?

YOU HAVE A MAGIC WAND THERE.

>> I DO.

>> WE HAVE TWO THINGS IN REGULAR WATER.

TOILET PAPER AND SO-CALLED FLUSHABLE WIPES.

>> SO-CALLED, HE SAYS.

WHAT HAPPENS THROUGH THE TREATMENT PROCESS, YOU GET AGITATION.

AND YOU CAN SEE PRETTY EASILY HOW THE TOILET PAPER STARTS FALLING APART QUICKLY.

AND THIS HAS JUST BEEN IN THE WATER FOR A FEW MINUTES.

THIS HAS BEEN IN THE WATER A COUPLE HOURS NOW.

AS YOU SEE, WE DO THE SAME TYPE OF THING IN THE FLUSHABLE WIPE, NOTHING HAS CHANGED AT ALL.

TOILET PAPER BREAKS DOWN.

FLUSHABLE WIPES DON'T BREAK DOWN.

IT'S A FABRIC.

IT'S NOT A PAPER PRODUCT.

>> THERE'S FABRIC.

>> IS THAT LIKE ME TRYING TO FLUSH A T-SHIRT DOWN THE TOILET?

>> EXACTLY.

THAT'S THE EXACT SAME THING.

YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH PAPER PRODUCTS.

TOILET PAPER IS REALLY THE ONLY THING THAT SHOULD BE FLUSHED DOWN THE TOILET.

OTHER THINGS, PAPER TOWELS, KLEENEX, THEY DON'T BREAK DOWN AS WELL AS TOILET PAPER.

>> LIKE CHERYL SAID, WE HAVE TO STICK TO NATURAL THINGS THAT GO DOWN THE TOILET.

WE KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS.

MICA FROM MISS LACY'S SIXTH GRADE CLASS.

MICA WANTS TO KNOW.

DO WATER FILTERS EVER GET JAMMED?

A PRACTICAL QUESTION.

>> THEY DO.

ANY TYPE OF FILTER.

IT FILTERS OUT IMPURITIES IN THE WATER.

OVER TIME, THERE WILL BE MORE IMPURITIES THAT MAKE IT HARDER FOR THE WATER TO GO THROUGH.

YOU HAVE TO REPLACE YOUR WATER FILTERS ABOUT EVERY SIX MONTHS.

>> LIKE EVERY OTHER WATER FILTER, IT REQUIRES MAINTENANCE.

WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.

THIS IS FROM GRAYSON, A THIRD GRADERED A WOODSTOCK ELEMENTARY.

PE WAS HE WANTS TO KNOW IF RAINWATER GETS FILTERED INTO DRINKING WATER AND HOW THAT WORKS.

>> IT DOES.

WE PULL IT OUT OF THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER.

WE LET IT SETTLE OUT, ALL OF THE MUD AND SILT AND SAND COMES OUT OF THE WATER.

A LITTLE CHLORINE TO ITBACTERIA.

AND WE ADD CHLORINE FOR YOUR TEETH.

>> YOU KNOW CHLORINE BECAUSE THAT'S IN THE SWIMMING POOLS.

WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE HERE FOR YOU.

I LIKE THIS ONE, TOO.

WE MAY HAVE ADDRESSED THAT.

LET ME PICK ANOTHER ONE.

MISS PRATT'S THIRD GRADE CLASS WANTS TO KNOW, IS THERE MORE WATER POLLUTION NOW THAN IN PAST YEARS?

THIS IS BECAUSE OF MODERN SOCIETY.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT, DAVID?

>> WE KNOW MORE ABOUT WATER POLLUTION.

WE DO MORE THINGS IN THE DAILY LIVES THAT PREVENT WATER POLLUTION.

EVEN THOUGH THERE'S MORE PEOPLE AND THAT CAN LEAD TO MORE WATER POLLUTION, WE'RE MORE CONSCIOUS OF IT.

WE'RE HOPING THAT THERE IS LESS WATER POLLUTION BECAUSE PEOPLE KNOW THAT IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO WASTE.

>> WE CAN WALK BACK SOME OF THE DAMAGE.

BRADLEY FROM PLEASANT GROVE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF WATER WASN'T CLEANED?

>> SIMPLE ANSWER, YOU WOULD BE SICK.

>> OKAY.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF BACTERIA IN WATER.

WE DON'T PUT THAT OUT OF THE DRINKING WATER SIDE.

IT WOULD MAKE HUMANS SICK AND ANIMALS SICK, AS WELL.

>> NO THANK YOU.

I HAVE A WEAK STOMACH.

I'M NOT DOING THAT.

GET THOSE DEVICES OUT.

HERE IS YOUR FINAL QUIZ QUESTION.

WHICH OF THE GEORGIA CROPS REQUIRES THE LEAST AMOUNT OF WATER.

IS IT CUCUMBERS?

OLIVES?

PEANUTS OR WATERMELON?

YOU GUYS KNOW THE DRILL BY NOW.

SEND US YOUR ANSWER ONLINE.

♪♪ >> ONCE YOU ENTER THE COASTAL PLAIN OF GEORGIA, YOU START TO SEE FIELDS.

AND THOSE FIELDS ARE NUMEROUS CROPS.

EVERYTHING FROM VEGETABLES TO CITRUS, TO TRADITIONAL ROW CROPS.

THEY'RE ALL GROWN THERE.

FOR A FORMER HERE ON THE COASTAL PLAINS OF GEORGIA, WATER AND THE AVAILABILITY OF WATER IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS OF PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE.

IT'S NOT AN ACCIDENT AT ALL, THAT OUR FARM IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE FLINT RIVER.

MY GRANDPARENTS AND FATHER, WHEN THEY BEGAN FARMING, SOUGHT OUT A PLACE ON A STREAM THAT WOULD HAVE WATER TO IRRIGATE WITH.

THE FLINT RIVER BEGINS AT THE ATLANTA AIRPORT.

SO, EVERYTHING THAT GOES INTO THAT RIVER CAN CONCEIVABLY COME RIGHT BY OUR PLACE AND RIGHT INTO THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM, THAT WE OPERATE.

I'M HAPPY TO TELL YOU THAT THE RIVER IS ONE OF THE CLEANER STREAMS IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

I'M PROUD OF THE FACT THAT PEOPLE NORTH OF US ARE DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB, WITH THEIR CLEANING AND EVERYTHING.

WE HAVE TWO SOURCES HERE.

OUR FIRST SOURCE IS THE FLINT RIVER ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF OUR FARM.

WE HAVE A POND THAT'S BEEN THERE FOR OVER 100 YEARS THAT WE PUMP OUT OF.

AND WE USE ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY, PIVOT IRRIGATION THAT COVERS LARGE ACREAGES IN THE IRRIGATION SYSTEM.

HISTORICALLY, WE WERE USING THINGS LIKE GUNS, WHICH HAD A HIGHER TRA DETECTRY.

WHICH WERE LESS EFFICIENT IN HOW THEY GOT WATER OUT TO THE SOIL.

ALL OF OUR CENTER PIVOT IRRIGATION SYSTEMS HAVE DROPPED, THAT GETS IT LOWER TO THE CROP.

THAT MEANS LESS EVAPORATION.

IT'S DONE WITH LESS PRESSURE, REQUIRING LESS ENERGY.

BUT THESE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT WE THINK ABOUT WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT IN HOW WE USE THAT WATER BECAUSE WE ALL VALUE IT SO HIGHLY.

AGRICULTURE IS THE BASIS FOR THE ECONOMY THERE.

AND SO, WATER THEN PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN THE SUCCESS OF AGRICULTURE, IN THE COASTAL PLAIN OF GEORGIA.

AND THAT'S WHY I THINK IT'S SUCH AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE.

AND WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING OUR ATTENTION ON IT.

>> THE ROLE OF FLINT RIVER IN AGRICULTURE BECAUSE OF THIS STATE, THE ROLE OF THE LOWER FLINT IS CONSIDERED TO BE BREAD BASKET OF GEORGIA, IN TERMS OF AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION.

AND THAT'S TRADITIONAL COTTON, CORN AND PEANUTS.

IT'S ALSO BLUEBERRY GROVES, PECAN GROVES, VEGETABLES.

A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT AGRICULTURE VALUE IN GEORGIA, IT'S CENTERED UP IN THE LOWER FLINT WATERSHED.

IT'S BECAUSE OF THE ABUNDANCE OF WATER COMBINED WITH THE SOIL TYPE, COMBINED WITH AVAILABLE LAND.

IT'S JUST A SWEET SPOT FOR GEORGIA AG.

>> WATER CONCENTRATION WAS SO IMPORTANT.

DROUGHT IS AN IMPORTANT THING TO THINK ABOUT, NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE ON THE PLANET.

IT'S THE TIME WHERE EFFICIENT CONSERVATIVE USE OF WATER IS AT ITS MOST IMPORTANT.

IT IS AT ITS MOST IMPORTANT DURING THE DROUGHT.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS MOVE TOWARD USING LESS AND LESS AND LESS.

JUST LIKE ELECTRICITY.

AND IT IS BECAUSE THAT WATER GOES BACK INTO THE RIVER OR INTO A SEPTIC TANK AND IT FINDS ITS WAY DOWNSTREAM.

AND PEOPLE NEED THAT WATER.

YOU NEED TO BE COGNIZANT.

YOU NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE GOING TO USE THAT EXACT SAME WATER.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE VOL YOU'LL MOLECULES.

PROTECTING WATER IS CRITICAL.

BOTH HOW CLEAN IT IS AND HOW MUCH THERE IS.

WE USE THE PHRASE ENOUGH CLEAN WATER.

IT'S GOT TO BE ENOUGH TO DO THE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO WITH IT, FROM MAKING MONEY TO HAVING FUN, TO JUST STAYING ALIVE.

AND IT'S GOT TO BE CLEAN.

YOU CAN JOIN GROUPS LIKE THE RIVER KEEPER AND HELP FOCUS YOUR VOICE ON THE ISSUES.

WHAT IS COOL ABOUT THE RIVER KEEPER MODEL IS IT'S NOT ABOUT THE RIVER, PER SE.

IT'S ABOUT PEOPLE'S CONNECTIONS TO THE RIVER.

SO MUCH OF OUR WATERWAYS ARE PUBLIC IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND SO, THE ISSUES ARE NOT PRIVATE.

BUT THEY'RE SHARED BY EVERYONE.

AND THERE'S SUCH A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE BEHIND EACH RIVER HERE IN GEORGIA, THAT HAVE THE SPECIAL CONNECTIONS TO THE RIVER.

ED A ADVOCACY GROUPS PRIMARILY SERVE AS A FOCUS OF CITIZEN VOICES, SO THEY CAN BE BLENDED INTO ONE AND BRINGS ATTENTION TO WATER POLICY ISSUES.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THE WATER IS COMING FROM.

WHETHER YOU'RE ON THE HOUSE WITH THE WELL OR ON A CITY SYSTEM.

YOU NEED TO KNOW WHERE IT'S COMING FROM, BE REASONABLE IN THAT USE AND UNDERSTAND WHERE IT'S GOING.

THERE'S ALL KINDS OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT GOES WITH THE WATER USE.

JUST LIKE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF CLEANING UP YOUR ROOM OR DRIVING A CAR SAFELY, SO THAT THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU ARE NOT NEGATIVELY AFFECTED.

>> WE'RE APPRECIATIVE OF THOSE WHO KEEP OUR RIVERS CLEAN.

WE TALKED ABOUT HOW THE RIVERS ARE IN OUR LIVES.

THERE'S ONE POWERFUL WAY THAT WATER IS USED AND THAT'S TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY.

HERE IS HANNAH WARNER, THE ENERGY COORDINATOR AT GEORGIA POWER.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU.

>> CAN YOU TELL US HOW GEORGIA POWER USES WATER AS A BUSINESS?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AT GEORGIA POWER WE MAKE, MOVE AND DISPEL ENERGY.

AND WATER IS THE BACKBONE OF POWER GENERATION.

WE RELY ON IT TO PROVIDE SAFE, AFFORDABLE AND RELIABLE ELECTRICITY FOR 2.6 MILLION CUSTOMERS ACROSS THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

>> IT STARTS WITH WATER.

>> UH-HUH.

>> I'M SURE THIS CONCEPT IS GENERATING QUESTIONS FROM OUR AUDIENCE AT HOME.

LIKE THIS ONE FROM A STUDENT IN MISS HANAN'S CLASS.

HE WANTS TO KNOW HOW WATER IS USED TO CREATE ELECTRICITY, THE NATURAL NEXT STEP.

>> THAT'S A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

AT A LOT OF THE PLANTS, WE USE THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF USING STEAM TO TURN A TURBINE.

SO, WE HEAT UP WATER.

THE FORCE OF THE STEAM IS TURNING THE TURBINE.

IT'S CONNECTED TO THE GENERATOR, AND IT PRODUCES ELECTRICITY.

>> THAT'S AMAZING.

>> INSTEAD OF MY HANDS, IMAGINE STEAM DOING THAT WORK.

>> STEAM IS THE FORCE BEHIND THE BANKS.

ONCE THE WATER IS USED TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY, WHAT HAPPENS TO IT?

>> ANOTHER GREAT QUESTION.

WE RECYCLE IT AND REUSE IT IN A NUMBER OF WAYS THROUGHOUT THE PLANT.

MOST OF THE WATER IS RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL SOURCE.

SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE PULLED WATER OF THE SAVANNAH RIVER, MOST OF THAT IS GOING BACK IN.

>> CLEAN IT FIRST.

WE TALKED ABOUT CONSERVATION EFFORTS THAT INDIVIDUALS CAN TAKE.

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS THAT GEORGIA POWER IS CONSERVING WATER.

>> WE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT CONSERVING WATER IS FOR OUR GROWING POPULATION AND INCREASING ENERGY DEMAND IN GEORGIA.

THAT'S WHY WE HAVE PLEDGED TO THE MY DROP COUNTS PROGRAM, BY THE METRO WATER DISTRICT.

AND THIS PROGRAM HELPS US SAVE EVERY DROP THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN.

WE LOOK AT ANY WAY WE USE WATER IN THE PLANT.

AND WE TRY TO MAKE IT BETTER, MORE EFFICIENT.

WE HAVE WATER-EFFICIENT TOILETS, SINKS AND OTHER FIXTURES.

AT OUR WATER RESEARCH CENTERS, WE'RE FINDING NEW AND IMPROVED WAYS TO USE LESS WATER IN GENERATING ELECTRICITY, TO CAPTURE WATER IN ALL THESE CRAZY WAYS, FROM FLOOR DRAINS AND STORM WATER RUNOFF AND USING THAT ON OUR PLANET.

WE'RE INVESTING IN RENEWABLE ENERGY.

SOLAR, WIND, BIO MASS.

ALL OF THESE GENERATE ELECTRICITY BUT USE LITTLE TO NO WATER.

>> YOU'RE BEING EFFICIENT EVERY WAY YOU CAN.

>> EXACTLY.

>> SPEAKING OF BEING WATER EFFICIENT.

WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING CROPS REQUIRES THE LEAST AMOUNT OF WATER?

>> THE ANSWER, WHAT IS THE ANSWER?

THEY'RE ALL DELICIOUS.

>> THE ANSWER IS PEANUTS.

>> EVERY OUNCE OF PEANUTS USES 4.7 GALLONS OF WATER.

>> THIS IS WAY LESS THAN CUCUMBERS, OLIVES, WATERMELON.

NOT ONLY DO WE RELY ON WATER TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY AND KEEP OUR LIGHTS ON, WE NEED IT TO PUT FOOD ON OUR TABLE.

>> WE DO.

MORE PEANUTS, EAT MORE OF THEM.

SAVE WATER, SAVE ENERGY.

WE HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION.

THIS TIME, FROM A TEACHER, MISS HINKLE.

IF YOU LIKE WORKING WITH ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AND TEACHING THEM ABOUT WATER.

REAL QUICK.

>> I LOVE IT.

I LOVE IT.

THINK ABOUT HOW COOL IT IS.

I GET TO SHOW THEM STUFF LIKE THIS.

AND THE LIGHTBULB LIGHTS UP.

AND SO DO THE STUDENTS.

>> WELL SAID.

WE HAVE ONE MORE WE CAN ASK HERE.

OKAY.

HOW MUCH WATER IS USED EVERY DAY?

>> YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS.

IN GEORGIA, METRO ATLANTA, THE AVERAGE PERSON USES 50 GALLONS OF WATER A DAY, INDOORS.

SHOWERING, BRUSHING YOUR TEETH, DOING YOUR LAUNDRY.

50 GALLONS A DAY.

>> INDOOR AND OUTDOOR USAGE.

>> INDOOR AND OUTDOOR?

>> INDOOR.

>> I CAN'T IMAGINE GOING THROUGH 50 GALLONS OF MILK.

KEEP THE QUESTIONS COMING.

WE LEARNED DIFFERENT WAYS GROUPS AND BUSINESSES ARE TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT WATER.

LET'S LOOK AT ONE OF THE MANY WAYS KIDS CAN BE GOOD STEWARDS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT.

♪♪ >> GEORGIA DREAM IS THE STATE'S OFFICIAL WATER PROGRAM.

WE DO IN KOLB COUNTY, TRAINED VOLUNTEERS, CITIZENS, CLASSROOMS, SCHOOLS, ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO BE A VOLUNTEER, WILL BE TRAINED AND CERTIFIED.

HERE, WE CAN LOAN THEM THE EQUIPMENT.

THEY WILL MONITOR A STREAM THEY ADOPT.

WE CAN TAKE THAT AND DETERMINE IF ANYTHING IS GOING ON WITH STREAM.

IF WE SEE TRENDS AND SOMETHING THAT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT, WE CAN FIGURE OUT IF SOMETHING IS GOING ON.

IN KOLB COUNTY, WE HAVE 3,200 MILES OF STREAMS AND WATERWAYS.

THEY WOULD GO FROM ATLANTA TO LOS ANGELES, AND BACK.

IT'S IMPRESSIVE HOW MUCH WATER WE HAVE.

THE 3,200 MILES OF WATERWAY ENDS UP IN OUR DRINKING WATER SOURCES.

PROTECTING THE SMALL STREAMS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THIS IS OUR SOURCE OF WATER THAT WE HAVE.

>> A STREAM IS A BODY OF WATER, LIKE A POND OR A RIVER OR A LAKE.

THEY CAN BE ANYWHERE FROM COMMERCIAL BUILDING SITES, PRIVATE PROPERTY, WHERE YOU WORK OR SHOP.

THERE MIGHT BE A STREAM OUT THERE, THAT YOU MIGHT NOT NOTICE IS THERE.

SOME OF THE STREAMS HAVE BEEN, GIVEN UNDERGROUND.

IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE NOT THERE.

WHERE YOU LIVE OR WORK OR PLAY, HAS THEM.

>> WHEN YOU THINK OF A WATERSHED AND HOW IT'S DETERMINED BY TOPOGRAPHY, AND THE LAY OF THE LAND.

THE SMALL STREAMS, IN THE HEAD WATER AREAS, GET TOGETHER AND TRICKLE DOWN.

IT MAKES LARGER STREAMS THAT MERGE TOGETHER AND MAKE LARGER STREAMS.

THAT ENDS UP BEING A WATER SOURCE WHERE WE GET OUR DRINKING WATER FROM.

AND PROVIDES AN INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF HABITAT AND BIODIVERSITY.

WHEN WE PROTECT THE SMALLER STREAMS, WE'RE PROTECTING THE RIVERS AND BODIES OF WATER.

THE CASE HERE, IN KOLB COUNTY, IN THE LAKE AND CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE DO IS LOOK FOR THE MICROVERTEBRAE IN THE TEAM.

THEY HAVE POLLUTION LEVELS AND THAT CORRELATES TO CREATE OXYGEN.

ONE OF THE ORGANISMS IS THE DRAGON FLY.

THEY ARE NECESSARY FOR THE ORGANISMS.

AND THE DRAGON FLY STARTS A LIFE PSYCH UNTIL THE WATER.

SOME OF THEM LIVE IN THE WATER FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS.

YOU SEE A DRAGON FLY, YOU KNOW THERE'S HEALTHY WATER AROUND.

WE HAVE THE ADOPT A STREAM PROGRAM.

ANYBODY CAN GET INVOLVED IN THAT.

A GREAT WAY TO LEARN YOUR STREAM.

YOU GO DOWN ONCE A MONTH AND VISIT AND GET CONNECTED WITH THAT STREAM SITE.

A STREAM BECAUSE IT IS FUN AND COOL WHAT WE FIND OUT ABOUT THE WATER.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE WATER TO KNOW IF IT'S SAFE OR NOT.

>> TO COME OUT HERE AND EXPERIENCE FIRSTHAND, THE WATER MARKET.

IT'S VERY FUN.

PARTICIPATING IN PROGRAMS IS GOOD TO HELP TEACH KIDS RESPONSIBILITY.

THEY HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO TAKE CARE OF THE WORLD.

UNDERSTANDING AND HOW OUR WATER WORKS AND POLLUTED.

IT'S DANGEROUS TO US.

THEY WOULD HELP STOP IT.

AND PICK UP TRASH AND PARTS AND STUFF.

THEY CAN HELP CARE FOR OUR WORLD.

>> I NOW FEEL SO ENERGIZED TO HELP SAVE THE WORLD.

BY POPULAR DEMAND, IT'S THE WOMAN OF THE HOUR.

DO YOU THINK WE WILL EVER RUN OUT OF WATER?

>> OH, WOW.

IT'S THE SAME WATER CYCLING OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

WE GOT THAT WORKING FOR OUR SYSTEM.

WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE USE IT.

WE WANT IT TO SERVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>> HERE'S AN ACTUAL STATEMENT.

MY EIGHTH GRADE CLASS AND I ARE WATCHING FROM NOONAN, GEORGIA.

WE'RE CURIOUS HOW THE RECENT TORNADOES HAVE AFFECTED OUR WATER SUPPLY.

CAN YOU TELL US?

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN THE NOONAN CASE.

BUT IN THE EVENT OF A NATURAL DISASTER, OUR WATER SYSTEMS ARE ALWAYS GOING.

PEOPLE ALL THE TIME, THAT ARE CHECKING AND MONITORING.

IN THE CASE OF THE NATURAL DISASTER, THEY WOULD GET IT ONLINE AS SOON AS THEY COULD.

>> OKAY.

JAMIAH ASKS, WHAT KIND OF ANIMALS LIVE IN THE WATER?

>> THERE'S THINGS YOU CAN SEE AND THINGS YOU CAN'T SEE.

WE CHECK THE HEALTH OF A STREAM BY CHECKING THE THINGS WE CAN SEE.

BUGS, CRITTERS, DRAGONFLIES, AND REALLY GREAT CREATURES.

>> AND THE LITTLE BUGS.

CHERYL TALKED ABOUT THE BUG PARTY.

MISS BALDWIN'S FOURTH GRADE CLASS WANTS TO KNOW, HOW DOES USING A GARBAGE DISPOSAL AFFECT THE WATER IN YOUR SINK OR DOES IT?

>> I LOVE THIS ONE.

>> IT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING GOES DOWN THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL OTHER THAN THE THINGS NATURALLY COMING OFF OUR PLATES.

THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO SCRAPE YOUR PLATE INTO THE TRASH CAN BEFORE WE GO INTO THE SINK.

>> NO SOLID FOODS THEN.

YOU SCRAPE THAT INTO THE TRASH.

>> ONLY CATCH THE THINGS THAT ARE NATURALLY COMING OFF OF YOUR PLATE.

>> I'LL DO BETTER.

DIANA ASKS, IF RIVER WATER RUNS TO THE OCEAN BUT IT IS FRESH WATER, WHY IS THE OCEAN SALT WATER?

>> WOW.

THAT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

I MAY HAVE TO GOOGLE THAT ONE.

WHEN THE RIVER FLOWS OUT TO THE OCEAN, THERE'S AN AREA OF WATER WHERE THE SALT WATER IS MIXING IN.

I DON'T KNOW WHY IT'S ALL SALTY WHERE THE FRESH WATER GOES.

GREAT QUESTION.

I WILL LOOK IT UP WHEN I GO HOME.

>> FURTHER INQUIRY IS NECESSARY.

JANET FROM PURDUE ELEMENTARY IN WARNER ROBBINS, GEORGIA, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, BESIDES LITTERING, HOW DO PEOPLE POLLUTE THE WATER?

>> OUR CAR CAN BE LEAKING OIL.

WALK YOUR PET, YOU SHOULD PICK UP AFTER YOUR PET.

LITTLE THINGS LIKE THAT.

YARD WASTE.

WE'RE CLIPPING OUR GRASS, CUTTING OUR GRASS, THE CLIPPINGS DON'T NEED TO GO DOWN THE STORM DRAIN.

>> WE TAKE THEM TO THE TRASH.

OR CURBSIDE PICKUP.

THAT'S WONDERFUL.

>> AMANA, I'M SORRY ABOUT THE PRONUNCIATION, AT FOURTH GRADE.

THE ACADEMY -- I'LL START THIS OVER.

AMANA AT THE AMANA ACADEMY, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, CAN I STILL USE WATER FOR MY SCIENCE EXPERIMENT?

>> OF COURSE.

YOU CAN USE WATER FOR YOUR SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS.

AND USE WATER FOR WHAT YOU NEED TO USE WATER FOR.

>> WE'RE IN THE CLEAR, THEN.

THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.

I THINK WE HAVE TIME FOR MORE.

BRENNA, A FOURTH GRADER, WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, IS WATER WET?

>> THAT'S VERY PHILOSOPHICAL.

IS WATER WET?

OR DO THINGS BECOME WET?

THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION TO THINK ABOUT FOR YOURSELF.

I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER.

>> WE'LL CONTINUE PONDERING THAT ONE.

WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE.

I'M TRYING TO PICK MY FAVORITE.

I LIKE THIS ONE.

I'M A WATER DRINKER.

TAMARA FROM CLAY HARMONY LEYLAND WANTS TO KNOW WHAT IS THE BEST WATER FOR HUMANS TO DRINK?

>> THE BEST WATER FOR HUMANS TO DRINK, TAP WATER.

>> BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT'S BEEN TREATED.

>> IT'S TREATED AND READILY AVAILABLE.

COMPARED TO BOTTLED WATER, MOSTLY INEXPENSIVE.

>> LOOKS LIKE THAT'S ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TODAY.

THANK YOU, STUDENTS, FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION.

AND A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR LIVE GUESTS, SARA, DAVID AND HANNAH AND THE WATER DISTRICT AND OUR PARTNERS FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL PROGRAM.

THE FUN DOESN'T HAPPEN HERE.

I'M ASHLEY.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME WITH THE GPB LIVE EXPLORATION.

BYE-BYE.