The District has a watershed model diorama that is demonstrated in conjunction with many of the school facility tours, in the classroom, and at environmental functions. Students see what happens when rainwater washes pollutants to creeks or the Bay or an illegal discharge from a business or factory. The model includes houses, roads, an industry, a farm, a construction site, a golf course, a partially logged forest, two creeks, and the "Napa River". Students identify potential pollution sources with the model, such as lawn fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides, illicit industrial discharges, working on vehicles or changing oil out in the street, and parking lot oil. The "pollution" is really cocoa and powdered drink mixes, used as a demonstration for the onlookers! After the pollution has been placed on the model, students observe what happens as a squirt bottle simulates rain on the watershed. The moment the "make-believe pollutants" hit the body of water, the observers always react with some degree of horrid disgust. Students learn about watersheds and urban storm water runoff, and methods to prevent pollution from reaching local water bodies. A focus on mercury is also discussed. Following the model-related activity, students are presented with alternative products for use in their homes.

A discussion ensues about why some products are better for the health of the Bay than others. This program is flexible to different educational levels, and is used in first grade through junior high classrooms. A demonstration of the diorama is also available in the classroom.

For more information, contact the Pollution Prevention Department at (707) 258-6000 at extension 502.

This presentation was originally developed for grade school kids (grades 2 through 6) in mind. This is shown in conjunction with many of the school facility tours. Educators as well as other adults have also enjoyed the presentation. This has been a very effective and successful tool for learning about our collection system, wastewater treatment and recycling facility works. Included in the presentation is the wastewater treatment process and water reclamation. There are also messages about pollution prevention, pesticides, oil and grease, and stormwater. This has been a fun way for many to learn what we do.

In order to have a successful facility tour program, there were many things to consider. This included everything from safety issues, funding for schools in order to participate, procurement of interesting demonstrations, method to connect with the teachers, interagency cooperation, tour routes for different age groups, methods to measure the program’s effectiveness, development of forms and maps and tour protocols. The program needed to be organized but flexible enough to allow continuous improvement.

The development of the program included a cooperative effort from various sources. The District safety officer and Pollution Prevention officer worked together with a District-commissioned safety firm to develop a safety program for the tours. This included the Public Tours Protocol, Public Tour Request Form, Public Tour General Information Form, and Tour Routes.

The "Protocol" includes pre-tour Information composing of general information and site preparation. Additionally, there is specific Tour Protocol for three separate age groups; including Elementary through Jr. High, High School & College, and Adults (General public, Professional groups, etc). Included for each group is the pre-tour information (usually mailed to the teacher prior to the tour), minimum age, ratios (number of adults per students), group size and tour guides, tour routes, tour guidelines, post-tour requirements, and emergency procedures. The following forms are available: Public Tours Protocol, Tour General Information Form, Public Tour Request Form, NSD Treatment Plant Tour Fact sheet Outline, Treatment Facility Tour Route (High School & College), and Treatment Facility Tour Route (Elementary & Jr. High).

Another mechanism of the program required a means to connect with the teachers and let them know of the programs available in Napa County and who to contact. The Environmental Education Coalition of Napa County (EECNC), comprised of Napa County organizations from at least two-dozen environmental groups, public agencies, etc., developed the second edition of the Environmental Education Guide. The "Guides" were completed, printed and ready for distribution in September 2002. The EECNC group hand delivered a copy to every school in Napa County. This one-on-one with each teacher added encouragement for him or her to participate in the program.

In the past, one of the major obstacles for the schools’ inability to participate in the tour program was transportation to and from the agency facilities. In conjunction with Jameson Canyon Water Treatment Plant and Napa Garbage Service Recycling Facility, the District has agreed to cover the transportation expenses for every 3rd bus tour. For this reason, the schools are able to make the tours. The District even pays for the postage to cover the cost of mailing back the quizzes to the District for evaluation.