SPB24 CC Visit to ETAP in Sant Joan Despi

Divided into different groups, the students visit the Water Treatment Plant in Sant Joan Despí where they explain them the whole process to obtain water and then convert it into drinkable water for Barcelona city centre and the populations nearby such as Castelldefels. Students were shown around the water treatment plant, starting at the river. It was explained to them how the mud and sand were removed from the water and how the process continued using different forms treatment such as filtration, ozonation and reverse osmosis. The final process of chlorination is done before the water arrives at the home. Students were shown on a large scaleplan the different areas of Barcelona and where the water originates and how it gets to the different locations. They can see the techniques (although no photos are allowed in that area), the challenges that we face in relation to water (drought and need to reduce water consumption) and they also finish with a water taste to recognize different types of waters (lower mineralization, high mineralization, sparkling water, water that comes from  the ETAP Water Treatment Plant).

Students found some of the terminology difficult as they didn’t have the science knowledge but were able to understand the process..They tasted the water and found it very salty. They activate their previous knowledge about water treatment, they learn about the orography of our region and the topographic relief and compare it to their own countries. They are able to ask questions and solve their doubts and they also have the most practical part of water tasting where they had to share opinions about the taste of each water. After the visit the students are also more aware of our difficulties with water and the need to reduce the consumption, making the population aware of this serious problem.