AN TAISCEThe National Trust for Ireland

Hans van de VenGreen-Schools OfficeEnvironmental Education UnitAn Taisce

USE WATER RESPONSIBLY

HOW ?WHY

?

Why?

• Essential to all forms of life

• A very important resource

FACTSABOUT

WATER

Water MoleculeWater Phases

Water

Hot

Steam

Cold

Ice

Surface Tension

Water is a Solvent

Two Types of Water on Our Planet

Fresh Water

Salt Water

WILL WE RUN OUT OF WATER ?????

Earth’s Water Distribution

Earth’s Water Fresh Water Fresh Surface Water (liquid)

Fresh water 3%

Other 0.9%Surface Water 0.9%

Rivers 2%

Again Why ?

• ‘Clean’ water consumption increased, more and more people on earth need to use the 1%

• Pollution increased (mainly sewerage leaks and chemical discharges)

WE USE CLEAN WATER

FOR WHAT ?

HOW MUCH ?

145 litres/day

>80 L 35-125 L 30-50 L 30-40 L

10-30 L5-30 L2-5 L1-3 L

HOW ?

SEVEN STEPSSEVEN STEPS

The Greenschools ProgrammeThe Greenschools Programme ISO14000/EMS/EMASISO14000/EMS/EMAS

2. Review

1. Green-SchoolsCommittee

3.Action Plan

Monitoring & Evaluation

Curriculum WorkInforming & Involving

the school & wider community

Green-Code

1)Record water meter readings

2. Review

2) Survey no. of taps, sinks, toilets, drips/leaks survey in school, timers on urinals, life cycle of school water, use of detergents & cleaners, local water amenities (rivers, streams, beaches), rainwater collection & usage, fertilizer.

3) Water at home – brushing teeth survey, detergent survey, waste-water survey.

How to read the meter

00013852

00014356

504 Liter

Make whole school participate in water conservation

Design awareness posters

Certain group in committee

September/ October

Yes

Organise ‘water action day’

Other group in committee plus teacher

Before end of November

Yes

Reduce water used by 20%

Read water meter daily/weekly

Caretaker plus committee members

Ongoing Yes

Form ‘water squads’ with all pupils

Teachers Up and running before end of October

yes

3.Action Plan

Goal Action Who When Done?

• Check and Revise Action Plan

• Keep all records for application

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Water Wardens• Follow-up Survey• Monitor progress

Curriculum Work

• Geography: Human & Natural Environment and Water Cycle

• Science: Uses and phases of Water

• Maths: Quantity Calculations and Graphs

• Art: Posters/Projects

• English: Essays/Poems

• Local Businesses• Local Press• Coast Care Group

• School Newsletter• Action Day

• Parents, Grandparents, Neighbours and Friends

Informing & Involving the school & wider community

Green-Code