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Classroom presentations
City staff offer in-class presentations about water, wastewater and solid waste services.
Water and wastewater
From source to tap and tap back to source – your students will learn about Guelph’s fascinating water and wastewater systems, and how they connect to our natural world.
Please note, the City offers separate water and wastewater presentations at the grade 8 level.
Water and Wastewater Education Program: Grade 2
Water and Wastewater Education Program: Grade 8
Solid waste
Solid Waste Education Program: Grade 5 and 6
Tours
Tours of the City’s Water, Wastewater, Stormwater and Solid Waste facilities are available for groups of 10 to 30 students who go to school in Guelph. Tours must be registered in advance. At this time, the City does not offer tours for the general public outside of our annual Open House. To get notified of the next public tour, please email your interest to [email protected]
Before you arrive
Tours take approximately 1 hour and all participants must sign the City of Guelph Tour Facility Release Form before arriving.
- All participants must wear long pants, close-toed shoes and be dressed for the weather (most tours occur in part of fully outdoors)
- All children must have waiver form signed by a parent or legal guardian
- Children must be in grade 5 or at least 9 years old
- Grades 5 – 6 require one teacher or supervisor for every 10 children
- Grades 7 – 10 require one teacher or supervisor for every 12 children
- Grades 11-12 require one teacher or supervisor for every 15 children
- The City reserves the right to cancel tours at their discretion.
Water
The tour at F.M. Woods Pumping Station tracks the journey water takes from the aquifer to local homes and businesses. We walk classes through the treatment process on site and discuss the various staff roles and infrastructural requirements to ensure that we supply our community with safe and reliable drinking water.
Wastewater
At the City’s Water Resource Recovery Centre, students will follow the flow of wastewater from the flush of a toilet to the Speed River. Students will walk through the treatment process step by step to see the transformation firsthand. Students will understand that wastewater is far more than meets the eye. It is a resource full of embedded nutrients and energy – resources that we do not let go to waste.
Stormwater
Bring your students out in their neighbourhood and visit one of Guelph’s 120 stormwater management ponds. Learn about how they are built, how they function and the wider importance of stormwater management to our community and our environment, including how the pond helps prevent flooding and improve water quality. Pick the pond closest to your school, or stormwater staff will help to pick a pond to visit together.
Solid waste
The Waste Resource Innovation Centre tour follows the movement of materials that are discarded into curbside waste carts from beginning to end. Students will see the City’s Material Recovery Facility (MRF) where recyclables from the blue cart are sorted and sold for profit. Students will also enjoy the Education Centre showcasing Guelph’s organic waste processing facility while learning about proper sorting and waste reduction in our everyday lives.
Register today for a tour or in-class presentation
Teachers and other educational leaders are required to register online for tours and in-class presentations.
Once we receive your registration, staff will be in touch to arrange the tour or in-class presentation. Tours and presentations are scheduled based on staff availability. Participating schools must be within Guelph’s city boundary. A tour or presentation request is not confirmed until staff have issued a confirmation email.
Girl Guides and Scouts badge program
More to come in Spring 2023!
For more information
If you have questions before you register for an in-person presentation, please contact us at [email protected] or call 519-822-1260 extension 2189.