Bathroom Water Science Fair Projects

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Ages 12 thru High School	Age 10 thru college	Ages 8 and up

Definitions
Aerator - a device that you put on your faucet or a showerhead to slow the rate of water flow.
gpm - gallons per minute
Low-flow - device that administers the rate of flow of water at a slower rate.
Flow rate - how fast your water flows from your faucet / showerhead

Hypothesis
Using an aerator on your sink faucet will save money because it reduces the water flow.

(You can do the same project by experimenting with your showerhead.)

Materials Needed

• Faucet or showerhead that does not have a low-flow aerator.

  If you have an aerator, the rate flow is imprinted on the side of the device. It will read 2.5 gpm or lower. If it is over 2.5gpm, You do not have an efficient aerator. You can determine if an aerator is not installed by checking to see if there are threads just inside the tip of the faucet. If you cannot figure out if your faucet / showerhead will accept an aerator, then remove it and take it to your local hardward store to find out.

• Low-flow aerator
• 2 quart pot or pan
• Stop watch

Procedure - Repeat each test 3 times. Report results on a chart.

1. Set a 2qt. saucepan on the floor of a non-low-flow shower under the middle of the shower stream.
2. With one hand turn your shower on full, and with the other hand start your stop watch.
3. Time how many seconds it takes to fill the pan.
4. With the help of one of your parents, change the showerhead to the low-flow aerator.
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3 above.

You can do the same experiment with your faucet and find the results.

Science fair projects about conservation is one of the hotest topics today!