Grand opening public open house is from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 15, 11818 W. Joplin Road, Boise (at the West Boise Wastewater Treatment Plant). Free. Regular hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and occasional Saturdays. 489-1284.
Water is one of the biggest issues facing western states these days, and the Boise WaterShed Environmental Education Center stresses the importance of this precious resource.
The new education center, which is holding its grand opening on Thursday, May 15, at the West Boise Wastewater Treatment Plant, is home to hands-on exhibits for teaching children and adults all about water.
Though the exhibits cover the entire world of water - down to its chemical composition - the focus is on the Boise River watershed and how water is used and reused in the Treasure Valley.
The Boise WaterShed's educational mission is rooted in conservation - the hope is that people will take the knowledge they gain at the center and apply it to their daily lives.
"From the beginning of the exhibit, they will understand the importance of water," said Cindy Busche, Boise WaterShed environmental education coordinator.
The high-tech nature of the exhibits - many of which are touch-screen computer stations - should appeal to anyone who likes to play video games.
In fact, many of the exhibits actually are games. "WaterShed Stewards" and "WaterShed Challenge" are true-or-false quizzes that can be played against the computer or against a person at a neighboring station. Eddy Trout, the Partners for Clean Water mascot, is host of the "WaterShed Challenge."
Another computer exhibit, "Flush Mapper," lets visitors pick a location on a map of Boise, "flush" a toilet and see where the water goes. "Run the Works" gives kids a chance to "operate" the treatment plant.
The Boise WaterShed isn't all computers, though. The "SludgeMaster" is a 1950s-era wastewater pump retrofitted to demonstrate how sewage moves through the wastewater treatment process.
Kids can turn the "SludgeMaster" wheel to pump "sewage" through a pipe to the digester, where bacteria break down the solid material.
The "What is Groundwater?" exhibit uses a real water well pump to show how water is taken from the ground.
While at the center, visitors can take tours of the wastewater treatment plant and water quality lab, watch a video in the theater and check out a book from the library.
On-site lessons covering a range of topics (water conservation, the water cycle, wastewater treatment) are available to schools for students K-12.
Even the building itself is a lesson. Green building practices were used in its design and construction to make it a high-performance, sustainable facility with Leadership, Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.
The grand opening on May 15 will include special educational activities and give the public a first look at the exhibits.
Chad Dryden: 672-6734
