Water
Australia is the world's driest inhabited continent. By becoming a water-wise school, you can save water, save money and help students gain an appreciation for our most precious resource.
Quick wins
- Become a water-wise school. Start a water-saving program to encourage students to turn off taps as soon as they've washed their hands. Wash paintbrushes in a bucket rather than under the tap and reuse drinking water for plants. Don't forget to report leaks - a dripping tap can waste up to 30 litres of water a week.
- Put the kettle on. Re-acquaint the staff with the old fashioned kettle in the staff room and get rid of the water urn. Water urns are usually left on all day, wasting water and energy in the process.
Medium-level projects
- Restrict tap flow. Install flow regulators or tap aerators on each tap to reduce the amount of water coming out of the school's taps and save litres of water a day.
- Go native. Find out what planets are native to your local area and start planting to increase your school's biodiversity. Native plants are drought-tolerant, attract birdlife and insects, offset carbon dioxide, and provide shade to keep your school buildings cooler in summer.
Major investments
- Choose water-wise fixtures and fittings. A single flush toilet uses around 12 litres of water per flush. A 4-star water efficient dual flush toilet uses less than half this amount. For every 4-star dual flush toilet installed, you'll save about 25,000 litres of water each year.
- Choose water sub-metering facilities. Install water meters in all areas where large amounts of water are consumed to effectively monitor water usage and reduce water bills.
- Save every precious drop. Install rainwater tanks, grey or blackwater systems to recycle water, and include water saving devices in landscaping and water features. The Australian Government's National Solar Schools program offers grants of up to $50 000 (GST exclusive) to install rainwater tanks, as well as a range of other energy efficiency measures.
