Investigation 2-1: What is the Source of Our Water?
Your Task:
Step 1: Obtain information from the resources below to identify the source(s) of Elizabeth's tap water.
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Step 2: Complete Investigation 2-1: Sources of Water .
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Step 3: Be ready to share your findings with students from Team Bottled Water.
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Step 4: Answer questions on Investigation 2-1: Sources of Water.
Resources
Context: To answer the question, What can we find out about where water comes from?, the SAIL team called the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey (NJGWS). The NJGWS is a group of scientists who study the drinking water in New Jersey. Below is a transcript of the call with a scientist from the NJGWS.
NJGWS: Hello, this is JerryAnn from the New Jersey Geological and Water Survey. How can I assist you today?
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SAIL: Hi JerryAnn. We are the SAIL team. We are working alongside 5th grade students in Elizabeth, New Jersey to find out more about the water that they drink. We are curious about the source of Elizabeth’s tap water.
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NJGWS: It is wonderful that you are interested in finding the source of Elizabeth's tap water! We would love to be of any assistance. Elizabeth receives its tap water from various sources. The tap water does not come directly from Elizabeth, but rather, the city obtains water from other suppliers.
For a more complete reporting of Elizabeth's water source, I can connect you with the Acting Section Chief, Steven Domber.
SAIL: Thank you for that information. We are looking forward to hearing from Mr. Domber.
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SAIL exchanged emails with the NJGWS. They received Mr. Domber's email a few days later.
The Raritan River is a major river in New Jersey. It provides drinking water to several cities in central New Jersey. The river begins in the Catskill Mountains in New York. It flows through New Jersey, and becomes part of the Delaware River. The Delaware River flows for 330 miles from its source in the Catskill Mountains in New York to Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The Delaware River empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Cape May, New Jersey, close to Bayshore Pool.
The Raritan River
The Delaware River