The Story of Water: Episode 1. The water cycle, or the hydrologic cycle, describes the continuous movement of water around the Earth

Discover what happens to wastewater after it leaves homes and businesses; and learn how it is treated and recycled. There are two main treatment plants in Melbourne, the Western Treatment Plant and the Eastern Treatment Plant, which treats over 90% of Melbourne’s sewage.

The amount of water in our environment is influenced by the type of climate. Across Australia, there are six broad climate zones. Climate is the average weather conditions of a place for a long period of time, while weather is the atmospheric conditions (hot day, rain, cool conditions) for a brief period of time. 

Hard surfaces like roads and footpaths in our cities stop rain from soaking into the ground. This water must go somewhere, and a network of stormwater pipes has been built across our cities to remove this excess water when it rains.
Stormwater pipes are different to the pipes in our homes. When it rains, water in our streets flows into stormwater drains, along with any rubbish or pollutants in the street.

River Detectives is a free, fun and flexible statewide citizen science program designed for schools, which supports teachers to explore their local rivers and creeks with students.

Take a VCE excursion to the Western Treatment Plant and develop knowledge and understanding of the sustainability, circular economy, biodiversity of the Ramsar listed wetlands. Discover how the whole site is managed in response to environmental challenges.

Students will explore the world of waste water and where it goes when it leaves their home or school. They will also complete activities that relate to the natural and urban water cycle.

The Future Water Story is a transformative learning experience where students collaborate, use teamwork, engage in critical thinking to shape their own understanding of renewable water resources and our sustainable future. This experience also includes a tour of the Western Treatment Plant.

Western Treatment Plant Virtual Tour: Discover the Western Treatment Plant, find out about water management and how sewage becomes a valuable and reusable resource. Learn how to manage water sustainably. Find out about the key processes of the natural and urban water cycle.

Find out about water management and learn about the technology that enables sewage to become a valuable and reusable resource. Learn about the conservation management strategies and why it is a Ramsar-listed wetland. Suitable for Tertiary, TAFE and higher Education.