BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Northwestern Water and Sewer District (The District) announces that it has recently awarded $1,500 in grant funding to Otsego Schools to support educational programs focused on water resources. Water And Environment Teacher Education Resources (WATER) grants aim to assist local schools by providing direct funding to educators, enabling them to teach about the vital importance of water conservation and environmental stewardship.
In 2024, The District will allocate over $9,000 to local schools within our service area for water-focused educational initiatives. These programs will teach students about water quality, sustainability, and responsible water usage.
District Board Member Brooke Hahn presented a $500 WATER grant to Otsego High School science teacher Bob Furlong as part of this initiative. The grant will fund a water collection and testing project from four local water sources. Students will measure the presence of E. Coli bacteria using chromogenic analysis of the water.
Mrs. Hahn also presented Otsego High School science teacher Jillan Bodey with a $500 WATER grant. Ms.Bodey will use the funding to purchase water sampling kits. The kits will help students investigate how chemical levels fluctuate in local water sources after weather or agricultural events.
The District also presented Otsego Elementary Art teacher Kirstina Roberts with a $500 WATER grant to purchase materials needed to build terrariums. These interactive kits will help students observe how water impacts plants during growth.
The District introduced the WATER grant program in December 2014, driven by a strong desire to give back to the schools and communities it serves. By fostering educational awareness about water resources and environmental sustainability, The District remains committed to its mission of responsible environmental stewardship.