Mesa Water District is hoping to spark interest in the water industry among young students with the opening of its new educational center. The center, which offers hands-on exhibits, aims to educate fifth-graders about the journey of drinking water from Orange County’s underground aquifers to their homes.
The 2,400-square-foot Mesa Water Education Center opened in January and features over 20 interactive stations. These are designed to align with classroom lessons about climate, weather, and the water cycle. Mesa Water Board President Marice H. DePasquale explained that the center grew out of a need for seismic upgrades at a water facility on Costa Mesa’s Gisler Avenue. Instead of just focusing on infrastructure, the board decided to invest $1 million in creating a space that would both educate and engage the community.
“The aging workforce in the water industry is a concern, and we want to inspire the next generation to consider these important careers,” DePasquale said during a tour of the center. “This education and outreach initiative is a way to make students aware of the opportunities in this field.”
The center’s exhibits allow students to explore the science behind water systems. One of the most popular features is a mini redwood forest, complete with misting systems that mimic the coastal fog that helps hydrate the trees. Students can also sample “redwood tea,” a unique amber-colored water formed by the decomposition of ancient redwoods that lived in Costa Mesa over 100,000 years ago.
Mesa Water General Manager Paul Shoenberger explained that the water, which has been aged to be about 12,000 years old, is some of the softest water available. “You can drink it directly from the ground,” he said, though a filtration system at the center ensures the water is safe and free of organic materials that give it its amber hue.
The center also features a nanofiltration system to educate students about the process of filtering water, as well as a model of the $1 billion infrastructure behind Mesa Water District. This includes 300 miles of underground pipes, 3,400 fire hydrants, and wells that can hold up to 10 million gallons.
At the end of the tour, students have the chance to create their own miniature aquifers in jars, simulating the water distribution system. Using straws and syringes, they can mimic how water flows through wells and underground aquifers.
Fifth-grade students from Costa Mesa’s Page Academy were among the first to visit the center. Chris Aihara, a science and math teacher, said the hands-on learning experience ties in with their lessons about the earth’s water systems. “It makes the subject matter come alive and helps students understand the processes that are usually hidden beneath the surface,” Aihara said.
One student, 10-year-old Natalie Solis from Newport Beach, was excited by the interactive exhibits. “It was really cool, because we got to touch and see everything,” she said, noting she still keeps her mini aquifer on a shelf in her room. Classmate Amelia Mackulin, 11, enjoyed learning about water distribution and sampling the redwood tea, which she described as tasting earthy.
The visit also sparked interest in careers within the water industry. “I’m interested in water testing because I like science and math,” said Amelia, who is from Huntington Beach.
DePasquale pointed out that as many workers in public agencies across California approach retirement age, it is crucial to recruit young people to fill the gap. “Many students have no idea that jobs in the water industry even exist,” she said. “We want to change that and show them the wide range of opportunities, many of which don’t require a college degree but still offer good pay.”
By offering this hands-on learning experience, Mesa Water hopes to inspire the next generation to consider careers in the water industry and to recognize the importance of water conservation and distribution in their daily lives.
