King County releases groundwater education animation

King County is helping school-aged children learn about the importance of protecting underground water with a new animated video, “The Story of Groundwater.”

The nearly four-minute Flash animation was developed in partnership with King County's Groundwater Protection Program and local groundwater protection committees.

The piece was designed for distribution over the Internet and was created by Leaping Media through Seattle Public Schools. Funding for the animation was provided by a King County Splash Grant, the City of Renton and the Water Tenders.

The animation, which is being released in conjunction with National Drinking Water Week, May 7-13, shows how pavement and lawn care practices can put groundwater at risk, and provides information on how residents across King County can do a better job of protecting the resource.

Two concerned groundhogs take viewers on a tour of water moving through the landscape as they repeat a chorus, “Don't forget the water down below!”

A groundwater character asserts that while his power is vast, chemicals and pollutants may keep him from his task.

The “big voice of groundwater” explains where he comes from and why he is important, and reminds viewers that he is in great demand: “…some water for fishes and some for dishes.”

“The Story of Groundwater” can be viewed at King County's Groundwater Web page: http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wlr/wq/groundwater.htm. This Flash animation requires Macromedia Flash 5 (external link) or newer to view. Flash file size is 6.5 Mb; time to download depends on connection speed and Web server traffic. The total animation play time is 3 minutes, 43 seconds.

King County's Groundwater Program administers limited groundwater scientific analysis and committee services on Vashon-Maury Islands and in the Redmond-Bear Creek and Issaquah Creek Valley management areas. Costs are shared within those areas to provide services.