Quality vs. Convenience

Quality vs. Convenience

Who owns the rain anyway?
Lesson: 6.2
Level:
Advanced
Station: Water Management
Format: Debate
Rating:
Advanced Lesson 6.2 Quality v Convenience

Lesson Overview

Water rights are already a hot topic as potable supplies continue to dwindle. This lesson allows the class to debate both sides of the rain harvesting issue to determine just who owns the rain.

Teach the Teacher

Method

Some states allow water harvesting while others do not. The water rights of individuals downstream may be preventing you from harvesting that water of the gods from your roof.

The argument is that by capturing water you are robbing others downstream. If enough folks do that then it will put undue stress on reservoirs and aquifers in some areas. Of course, the Colorado River hasn’t reached the Sea of Cortez in more than 60 years so aren’t we guilty of this already?

Divide the class and debate the issue of “ownership” over water. Make the case for and against water harvesting.

Related Lessons

Now that you’ve completed the Advanced Lesson, just remember that you can always revisit the Beginner and Intermeidate Lessons as needed.

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