The document discusses awareness of pollution to watersheds. It provides context on how activities like urban development, population growth, and invasive species can degrade water quality and biodiversity through increased runoff and habitat loss. Specific pollutants mentioned include sediment, oil, pesticides, and pathogens. The document emphasizes the interconnectedness of healthy watersheds and a sustainable environment.

1. Session Three
Awareness
Awareness of Pollution to Our Watersheds
Preparations 1. Someone reads the Scripture
Arrange a classroom table “altar” O God, you are my God, I seek you,
with a cloth, a candle, a clear my soul thirsts for you; my flesh
container with water, and a Bible faints for you, as in a dry and weary
open to Job 12:7-8. Before partici- land where there is no water.
pants arrive, familiarize yourself Psalm 63:1
with the Legacy water wheels
and posters mentioned in this Thus says the Lord: See, waters are
session, so that you can refer to rising out of the north and shall be-
them as you share information come an overflowing torrent; they
about pollution and degradation shall overflow the land and all that fills
to our Watersheds. Decorate the it, the city and those who live in it.
room with appropriate Legacy Jeremiah 47:2
posters. As class begins, invite
participants to add to the table 2. Invite participants to be silent
their journal/notebook, sketched for a few minutes and meditate
images, pictures from magazines, on these images of drought and
and/or pictures of their home flood, either of which could be
river and/or stream. Give thanks the legacy of climate change in
for all that is gathered. Alabama. Meditate also on how
humankind has betrayed God’s
Reflection: 10 minutes trust by not caring for the waters
of Creation. Yahweh
Prayer
Leader: At your command all things teach me your way,
3. Remind participants that it lead me
came to be: the vast expanse of in-
can be difficult to begin iden-
terstellar space, galaxies, suns, the
tifying adverse impacts to our
in the path
planets in their courses, and this of integrity.
watersheds. Yet, knowing where
fragile earth, our island home.
the challenges are opens op-
Response: By your will they were portunities to make informed Psalm 27:11a JB
created and have their being. choices in our Care of Creation.
On newsprint, make a list of
Leader: From the primal elements adverse impacts.
you brought forth the human
race, and blessed us with mem- 4. As the group is compiling
ory, reason, and skill. You made their list, encourage them to
us the rulers of creation. But we think of all the things that could
turned against you, and betrayed affect either the quantity or
your trust; and we turned against quality of surface water (riv-
one another. ers, streams, lakes and above-
Response: Have mercy, Lord, for we ground water), groundwater
are sinners in your sight. Amen. (water found underground), and
from Eucharistic Prayer C, BCP aquifers (underground layers of
pervious rock, etc., containing
water).
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2. Session Three
Awareness
Education: 25 minutes Our focus for Session Three is
Begin today’s Session with the on the sources of pollution and
following activity from McDow- degradation to our watersheds
ell Environmental Center’s Pond and how these same factors are
and Stream Class (see Resources connected with climate change.
for website). As time allows follow guidelines
for Biodiversity and More About
The World’s Water Pollution. Class can read extra
When we think of water, we usu- materials at home.
ally think of lakes, rivers, streams,
clouds and oceans. But where, Global warming is already af-
really, is the world’s water? Use fecting nearly all watersheds.
Percentages this demonstration to help par- More frequent powerful storms
Oceans = 97.2%, ticipants realize just how precious are increasing flooding and
Icecaps/glaciers = 2.0%, the water is in Alabama’s rivers destabilizing river and stream
Groundwater =0.62%, and streams. Note: For the best channels. More severe droughts
Freshwater lakes = 0.009%, results, use clear measuring cups and higher temperatures are
Inland Seas/Salt Lakes = 0.008%, and containers. placing additional stresses on
Atmosphere = 0.001%, aquatic ecosystems. Increasing
Rivers = 0.0001%. 1. Fill 5 one-gallon jugs with withdrawals for agricultural ir-
From “Cousteau Almanac.” 1981. water. This represents all of the rigation and outdoor suburban
Doubleday/Dolphin: New York. water on Earth. use are further depleting stream
2. Remove 2-3/4 cups of water flows and lowering water tables,
from one container and pour into exacerbating ecosystem stresses
a clear container (container #1). and causing new human con-
Container #1 now contains all of flicts over water.
the fresh water on Earth.
Conserving water keeps water
3. From Container #1, remove in our streams where it is needed
2 cups of water and pour into – and saves energy, while reduc-
Container #2. ing CO2 output. Reducing stress-
Container #2 now holds all of ors to our watersheds can increase
the freshwater that is trapped in biodiversity and at the same time
icecaps and glaciers. help offset the impacts of global
4. From Container #1, remove 8 warming. (Refer to Legacy “Ala-
tablespoons and pour into Con- bama’s Watersheds” poster.)
tainer #3.
This represents all of the ground This is not just about “water-
water in the world. sheds” or rivers or even drinking
water, without which all God’s
5. Point out that Container #1 creatures – including humans
now contains all of the water in – cannot live. It is about the
Earth’s lakes, inland seas/salt whole complex web of creation
seas, the atmosphere and rivers/ and our intimate connection to
streams. Dip your finger into all of it. When we pollute or de-
the water and let one drop hang grade our rivers and streams, the
from your finger. This represents effects are widespread and like
all of the water in Earth’s rivers a boomerang eventually come
and streams. Water is a precious right back at us.
resource with which Alabama
has been blessed.
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3. Session Three
Awareness
Biodiversity do very well when introduced
Now let’s look for a moment at into non-native ecosystems
the issue of biodiversity and why because their natural predators
it matters. The following infor- are not present. Invasive spe-
mation is from Alabama Water cies tend to be tolerant of poorer
Watch, inspired by E.O. Wilson, water quality, which gives them
The Creation. It helps us under- another advantage over native
stand how pollution and degra- populations. They can become
dation of our watersheds leads the dominant species in many
to a decline in biodiversity. aquatic ecosystems as water
quality deteriorates and native
Habitat loss, Invasive spe- species population decline.
cies, Pollution, Population
growth, and Over-exploitation Pollution in any environment C
of resources are the five main makes it harder for species to ex-
environmental stresses that lead ist, especially less tolerant ones. It takes 25 gallons of water
to a decline in biodiversity. The In the United States, we have the to produce
acronym HIPPO is used to re- Clean Water Act to help guide, one pound of wheat.
member them. protect, and restore our waters,
yet the Act is not implemented
fully in many areas. While great
It takes 185 gallons of water
(Divide participants into four
groups, A B C D. Ask each group progress has been made in the to produce
to silently read the paragraphs U.S. to reduce piped discharges one pound of chicken.
by their letter below.) of pollutants – as from sewage
treatment plants – pollution such It takes 1630 gallons of water
A Habitat loss occurs for a variety as oil and pesticides is increasing
to produce
of reasons. Sediments in runoff in storm runoff from parking lots
are one of the biggest problems. and other urban uses. In devel- one pound of pork.
Sediment is picked up from oping countries, environmental
rainwater running off the land laws are often not in place to It takes 5,214 gallons of water
in areas where various land use handle water quality issues to produce
practices have left bare and poor- that arise from expansion and one pound of beef.
ly covered soil. Another cause growth. These countries continue
of sediment and habitat loss is to see major water quality and
Fun Facts: McDowell Environmental Center
erosion of streams and collapse water security problems.
of stream banks caused by all the
additional stormwater running Human Population growth D
off of pavement and roofs, in- affects biodiversity by placing
stead of soaking into the ground an even greater burden on our
as it would in an undeveloped finite water resources. Closely
forest. A third reason for habitat tied with this is both pollution
loss is stream channelization, and Over-exploitation of natu-
where streams are straightened ral resources. Without proper
for quicker drainage of rainwater. water conservation measures
Frequently, streams are lined with in place, public water supplies
concrete or piped underground become polluted and begin to
and virtually all habitat is lost. diminish. Improper land use and
unchecked growth and develop-
B Invasive species can be a real ment by an expanding popula-
nuisance in both polluted and tion add additional stress to
non-polluted streams. They often species living in local streams.
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4. Session Three
Awareness
(Return to the newsprint, and off, which in turn has impacts
add to the list of adverse impacts on waterways. Because paved
to our watersheds.) roadways and other impervious
(non-porous) surfaces do not
Look again at the Legacy “Wa- absorb rainwater, runoff from
tersheds” poster. Imagine how urban areas is two to five times
unpleasant fishing, boating, greater than is that from forest-
swimming and wading would land. A growing body of scien-
be if the HIPPO effects we just tific research is finding a direct
discussed had significantly relationship between the amount
degraded these waters. HIPPO of impervious surface in a wa-
is what affects the biodiversity of tershed and the water quality of
species living in our streams and that watershed’s waters.
rivers, and what affects them af-
fects us. All species are creatures C Impervious surfaces such as
of the same Creator. asphalt, concrete and roofing
increase the volume and velocity
The HIPPO Crossword Puzzle of the runoff. This often results
from Alabama Water Watch, on in flooding, erosion and perma-
3-8, can be done at home - per- nent alterations in stream form
haps with family or friends. and function. In addition, by
If complex creatures blocking the infiltration of water
cannot thrive in our rivers, More about pollution and its associated pollutants into
do we feel wholly comfortable (As time allows, divide partici- the soil, impervious surfaces in-
swimming, pants into four groups, A B C D. terfere with natural processing of
fishing Ask each group to silently read nutrients, sediment, pathogens
paragraphs by their letter below.) and other contaminants, result-
and ing in degradation of surface wa-
wading in them? ter quality. By enhancing natural
A Rainwater can become a source
of pollution. A standard ap- drainage systems that allow rain
proach to managing rain water to filter into the ground, rather
is to turn it into a waste product than channeling it to create
called “stormwater.” We then rapid surface drainage, negative
try to get it off our property impacts of surface runoff can be
as fast as possible, directing it minimized, property values im-
across driveways and into street proved, and the beauty of God’s
gutters and storm drains. Water creation cared for and enhanced.
washing over the land, whether
from rain, car washing or the D Threatened and Endangered
watering of crops or lawns, Species (Refer to Legacy “Imper-
is transformed into a gush of iled Species of Alabama” poster.)
warm, dirty water that carries While Alabama ranks 5th for
mud, oil, bacteria, pesticides and biological diversity, we rank 2nd
other pollutants into our rivers for the number of species that
and causes erosion, flooding and have gone extinct. Indeed, of all
degradation of species. the species that went extinct dur-
ing the 20th Century, half were
B Urban and suburban develop- found in the Mobile River Basin.
ment affects both the quantity And as our population grows
and quality of stormwater run- and the economy develops, our
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5. Session Three
Awareness
need for homes, jobs, and food Meditate and reflect on what
puts more pressure on the land- the cattle, the birds of the air, the
scapes and rivers that shelter all creeping things of earth and the
these species. Alabama is ranked fishes of the sea are telling us,
4th among the 50 states in spe- communicating to us, here and
cies at risk of going extinct. We now in the Diocese of Alabama
have great biological wealth in and in our Alabama watersheds.
our state, and we are losing it.
Use the Data Sheet on 3- 9 to esti-
As we lose species, we cannot mate your home and parish water
get them back for our children. usage. Bring your data sheet to
Extinction is forever. By not sav- Session Four for the table “altar.”
Prayer
If you would learn more, ask the cat-
ing the diversity on Earth now,
tle, seek information from the birds of
we do not give our children and Check your “Carbon footprint”
the air. The creeping things of earth
grandchildren the choice to have at www.earthlab.com and begin
will give you lessons, and the fishes
it in their lifetimes. We are wast- pledging to reduce your CO2
of the sea will tell you all. Job 12:7-8
ing Creation’s treasures that can output in the ways suggested
never be regained. on this site. Bring your results to
Session Four for the table “altar.”
Only 3% of the land in Alabama
is in permanent conservation Identify a source of pollution on
protection. This puts Alabama parish grounds and in your own
near the bottom of the states for neighborhood. Select someone
protected lands. (See Resources to check for sources of pollution
for link to Alabama’s Forever in industrial or farming areas in
Wild program.) the vicinity, if these are not in any
class participant’s neighborhood.
(Return to the newsprint, and
add to the list of adverse impacts Be prepared to advocate for
to our watersheds.) good water policy by identify-
ing your own policy makers at
A vital growing Alabama means the local, state and national level,
ensuring environmental sustain- (for example, council members, Let justice roll down
ability and economic develop- water boards, state legislators and like
ment that protects the biological senators, U.S. Congress-persons
waters,
wealth of the state. Our biologi- and Senators). http://www.con-
cal legacy is part of the Creator’s gress.org/congressorg/home and righteousness
benevolence, and is meant to like an
provide quality of life for all Where does your non-recycled everlasting stream.
Alabamians. garbage go when it leaves your
home? Call you local city or Amos 5:24 NRSV
Our focus for Session Four will township offices and ask. What
be Care of Creation in Alabama is the water and soil quality in
Watersheds. landfill neighborhoods? Why?
Action: 5 minutes Check out what policies for
Choose one or more of the fol- conserving water are or are not
lowing activities to do at home in place in your community. Call
before next session: your local city or township of-
fices and ask. This activity could
be divided among participants.
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6. Session Three
Awareness
Resources: Wading in the Waters
http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/environment/ See this website
for what is happening environmentally in the Episcopal church.
www.earthlab.com This site provides the most complete calculator for
checking your “Carbon Footprint.” You can save your results, learn
ways to improve your score, pledge specific actions, then check again
to see the results of your actions in CO2 savings.
http://www.outdooralabama.com/public-lands/stateLands/forever-
Wild/ This link will take you to Alabama’s Forever Wild program to learn
where protected sites are located and the species that are being protected.
http://www.epa.gov/enviro/emef/ This website is the “EnvrioMap-
The City of Trussville per” view from the Window on My Environment web-page. It is an
hires someone interactive map with lots of information about the surround of your
whose job it is church or backyard. If there are any little colored boxes on the map
to go around of your neighborhood indicating toxic waste, water discharge site, or
after a rain event other concern, you can click on the box and get the specific information
of the business or other entity that is at issue. Experiment with this
looking for runoff situations web page; there are lots of options to see features of an area. This is es-
that need to be corrected sentially the same site mentioned for Session One. This site sometimes
before they become has technical problems. Be patient; come back to it later.
major problems.
http://www.aces.edu/waterquality/themes/watershed.htm This site
is described in Session One for finding your watershed. This time, no-
tice information for water management in Alabama.
http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/effects/water/index.HTML
This page of the federal government’s Environmental Protection
Agency website gives access to information about the effects of climate
change on water availability and quality by region.
http://www.outdooralabama.com/watchable-wildlife/regulations/
endangeredbycounty.cfm Website for list of threatened/endangered
species by county.
http://www.adem.state.al.us/WaterDivision/WQuality/303d/
WQ303d.htm This website has lists of impaired water bodies for each
river basin. It identifies Section 303(d) list of the Clean Water Act. On
page 10 there is a map of Alabma’s impaired rivers.
http://www.campmcdowell.com/cmec/index.htm Visit this website
to learn more about Camp McDowell Environmental Center.
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7. Session Three
Awareness
https://aww.auburn.edu/ This link connects to Alabama Water Watch.
AWW is the source for the following Further Descriptions, and for
much of the material in this Session.
Further Descriptions: There are four major forms of pollution: sedi-
ments, nutrients, toxic substances and pathogens.
Sediments are soil particles carried by rainwater into streams, lakes,
rivers and bays, or eroded from within the stream itself that has been
destabilized by increased storm flow. By volume, sediment is the great-
est pollutant of all. Sediment is generated mainly by erosion resulting
from bare land, poor farming practices, construction, and development.
While this soil is productive on land, in the water it cuts light needed
by aquatic plants, obstructs waterways, worsens flooding, weakens
freshwater creatures, and covers aquatic habitat with sediment while
increasing the cost to treat drinking water.
Nutrients are substances that help plants and animals live and grow.
Officials are most concerned about excessive amounts of two nutrients:
nitrogen and phosphorus. Fertilizer, animal waste, and sewage treat-
ment plants are the main sources of these substances. Excess nutrients
entering the stream from agriculture and urban areas can drastically
alter the amounts and types of organisms within a stream.
Toxic substances are chemicals that cause human and wildlife health
problems. They include organic and inorganic chemicals and metals,
pesticides, formaldehyde, household chemicals, gasoline, motor oil,
battery acid, roadway salt, and medications flushed down the toilet.
­
Pathogens are disease-causing microorganisms present in human and
animal waste. Pathogens, such as bacteria and viruses, can become nu-
merous enough to make public water supplies unfit for human use.
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8. Session Three
Awareness
ALABAMA WATER WATCH
https://aww.auburn.edu/ 1-888-844-4785
HIPPO CROSSWORD
See if you can use the clues related to loss of species in the environment
to complete the crossword puzzle.
1 4
5
3
6
2
ACROSS DOWN
2 The misuse of natural resources 1 These critters displace already stressed native
critters in polluted streams.
that leads to population decline of
harvested species.
3 The addition of this into a stream makes it harder
and harder for native species to survive.
5 As this increases, more and more streams
are encroached upon through urban sprawl. 4 This can occur due to changes in land use,
and leaves less space in the stream for critters to live.
6 A word that describes the number of species
in a given area.
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9. Session Three
Awareness
U.S. average = 100 gallons/person/day
ALABAMA WATER WATCH
https://aww.auburn.edu/ 1-888-844-4785
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10. Session Three
Awareness
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