AlexRenew Hosts First Water Discovery Day

From the Hodges Partnership: How much do you know about your water and where it goes when you’re done with it? AlexRenew wants to help you discover a personal water connection at its first-ever Water Discovery Day Saturday, May 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Environmental Center at 1800 Limerick Street.

Water Discovery Day is a free family-focused community event, held in partnership with the City of Alexandria and other local organizations such as Virginia American Water, Local Motion Studio, and Living Legends of Alexandria. This event will give attendees the opportunity to go behind the water cycle scene to explore, learn and create through a series of hands-on activities. The first 100 RSVPs will receive a free t-shirt to screen print on site. Kids can even meet Moxie, AlexRenew’s water-cleaning heroine.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase on site from local eateries Dolci Gelati Gelato Shop, Buzz Bakery, and Rustico, along with music provided by DJ One Love Massive. Sponsors for the event include CH2M, Brown and Caldwell, and Greeley and Hansen.

Water Discovery Day will be held rain or shine. For more information and to RSVP for a free t-shirt (limited to first 100) and/or the bike ride, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/water-discovery-day-tickets-33025405878.

Some specific activities include:

Rain Barrel Workshop | 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. | Meet in the Environmental Center Lobby:

Build your own rain barrel at this workshop, sponsored by the City of Alexandria Department of Transportation and Environmental Services. Class is $55to cover of materials and online registration through the city is required prior to workshop. Space is limited.

SafeAssured Child Identification | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Environmental Center Lobby

The Alexandria Sheriff’s Department will host a SafeAssured Child Identification booth in the lobby. SafeAssured Child Identification kits are free to families with children 16 and younger. The kits are available on a first come, first serve basis.

Waterways by Bike Tour | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Starts from the Environmental Center Experience the beauty of local Alexandria waterways by bike! The tour will leave from AlexRenew, bike through Old Town viewing the Potomac River along the way, and end at the grand opening of the Four Mile Run Education Station in Arlandria. Space is limited.

Discovery Lab | 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Environmental Center - sixth floor

Come meet AlexRenew’s microbes! AlexRenew harnesses their pollution-cleaning power to transform the city’s wastewater. You’ll use a microscope to get a look at these tiny critters!

Facilities Tour | 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. | Starts from the Environmental Center

See first-hand how AlexRenew uses science and engineering to transform dirty water into renewable energy, a free soil amendment for local Virginia farmers, and clean water that is returned to the Potomac River. Closed-toe shoes and pants are required.

Image via Pixabay