Water conservation
Reducing the use of water in schools can save you money and make a positive impact on the environment. Learn how to manage your use of taps, water hoses and more.
How we use water in schools
Schools use water for a variety of activities. Some uses include:
- Hand washing
- Showers
- Cleaning
- Making food and beverages
- Upkeep of outdoor spaces
- Flushing toilets
Heating water costs money and energy, so saving it is a good idea.
Start saving water
Water conservation saves money and energy, plus it's good for the environment! Why not start an awareness campaign? Involve teaching staff, maintenance staff, students and specialist advisors - make everyone aware of water conservation.
- Some ways to make the most of water in your school are:
- Implementing a Water Awareness Campaign
- Don't leave taps running unnecessarily
- Repair leaking taps and fit percussion spray taps to reduce the amount of water that comes out of taps
- Eliminate automatic flushing cisterns and install water displacement devices in WC cisterns
- Ensure cleaning staff use mop buckets rather than excessively running taps
- Have a no hose policy, use watering cans to water plants and trees
- Install a water butt under rain water downpipes to collect water for watering plants
It's also worth holistically looking at how your schools uses water. Read your water meter regularly and carry out a water audit to assess your plumbing appliances and fittings.
Domestic hot water
Domestic hot water is supplied in schools through hot water cylinders, water heaters and boilers. Some ways to save on domestic hot water are to:
- Install push type spray percussion taps which turn off automatically
- Ensure every water heater has a 7-day time clock
- Don’t leave taps running unnecessarily when washing hands or equipment
Considering how we use hot water is a change we can all make. Our factsheet offers more specific tips based on the water system installed in your school.