Ocean City School Students Learn Importance of Water Preservation

New Jersey American Water engineers, technicians and mechanics taught the Ocean City Intermediate School students about the water system, water usage and the challenges facing the state’s aging pipe infrastructure during the national advocacy and educational event, “Imagine a Day Without Water” on Oct. 8.

They discussed how water flows to homes and businesses and conducted demonstrations of tools, equipment and materials needed to make repairs when needed.

“It would be very bad to not have water, because we need it to survive,” fifth grader Grant Friedland, 11, said. “It’s the second most important thing in the world after air. It’s interesting to know this stuff because we need to learn how to protect water in order to drink it.”

From Oct. 6-8, groups, corporations and water advocates across the county hosted events for “Imagine a Day Without Water” to highlight the importance of investing in water for future generations.

New Jersey American Water visited the Ocean City School District on the final day of the event.

At Ocean City High School, students shot a video about the average person’s daily water usage – more than 100 gallons – using 100 gallons of bottled water donated by the company.

“The students at each of our schools had a fantastic day learning and thinking about the importance of our city’s water system, thanks to New Jersey American Water,” Ocean City School District Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Taylor, said.

“The kids were very engaged in the demonstrations and asked thoughtful questions,” Peter A. Eschbach, the company’s director of communications and external affairs, said. “Living near the beach, one wanted to know why we can’t desalinate ocean water for drinking and bathing.”

For more information about “Imagine a Day Without Water,” visit http://imagineadaywithoutwater.org/.

The attached images were provided by New Jersey American Water:

Photo #1: Eamon Hall, Water Quality Technician at New Jersey American Water, answers questions about water infrastructure from Ocean City Intermediate School students during the “Imagine A Day Without Water” event.

Photo #2: New Jersey American Water employee Rich Davis shows Ocean City Intermediate School students what life is like as a Utility Mechanic during the “Imagine A Day Without Water” event.