A group of 10 students participating in the Student Conservation Association’s (SCA) urban-based community conservation program in Seattle recently learned about the water industry during a visit to the Tolt Water Treatment Plant in Seattle. Hosted by American Water and Seattle Public Works, this effort was part of the company’s partnership with the SCA in support of the organization’s national internship program that addresses issues of water conservation, quality or advocacy across the company’s service areas.
The students had the opportunity to go “behind the scenes” at the plant to learn about the work American Water does, its environmental practices, as well as future green opportunities at the company and within the water industry. The students benefited by seeing and learning first-hand about the operations of the city of Seattle’s Tolt Water Treatment Plant. Designed, built and operated by a joint venture between American Water and CDM, the plant treats and delivers up to 120 million gal per day of water, which is 30% of the city’s annual water supply.
A key part of the SCA’s urban-based community program is environmental education and job readiness training. The green jobs readiness curriculum gives youth a foundation of knowledge in environmental issues, introduces them to green career pathways and facilitates the development of pre-vocational skills.
The program was also part of American Water’s ongoing commitment to consumer education and environmental stewardship and was among a series of initiatives that American Water undertook during its 125th anniversary year in 2011.
Source: American Water
