Using and saving water at school

Australia is the world’s driest inhabited continent, yet we are one of the highest users of water per person. We live in an uncertain climate – it’s important to use water wisely so we have a secure source of drinking water for many years to come.

How to save water at school

Read on for tips to save water at school, or download this handy fact sheet:

Collect excess water and use it wisely

Place ice cream containers under school water fountains and use excess water in the garden.

If not using the tap, turn it off

Turn the tap off as soon as you've washed your hands. Put signs near the basins to remind students to do the same.

Report leaks

Get someone to fix any leaking taps, water fountains or toilets as soon as they are reported. Make it a classroom activity to check for leaks regularly.

Use a container to wash your brushes

Wash paint brushes in a bucket or ice cream container, rather than under a running tap.

Use a refillable water bottle

Bring a water bottle to school. At the end of the day, any leftover water can be poured onto the garden.

Talk to others about water

Raise awareness of the importance of water by creating colourful posters on water use and water saving. You can even start your own water saving team.

Install aerators on taps

Talk to your maintenance coordinator about installing or fitting the taps in your school with aerators. Aerators reduce the amount of water flowing from the tap by up to 50%, while maintaining the pressure.

Install rainwater tanks

Talk to your principal, maintenance coordinator and school council about installing rainwater tanks. Once installed, you can connect the tanks to your toilets or use the water for your school gardens or vegie patch.

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