There are many schools across the globe that carry out water conservation. For examples Madhya Pradesh school, schools in Pune, India, Victorian schools in Australia, North Carolina schools, USA, Windhoek Schools in Namibia, schools in Dublin, and the list goes on. But what about schools in Malaysia? How many schools implement water conservation in their yearly programmes?
In my opinion, schools in Malaysia should start campaigns to save water. There should be a water audit done in schools. Read the news below ;
Water audit in schools soon
In an effort to promote judicious use of water in educational institutions, the Rain Centre will soon conduct a water audit in several schools across the city. The centre plans to cover 30 schools in the first phase next month, including those run by government. The centre's director Sekhar Raghavan said a questionnaire is being prepared and it would be distributed to schools soon.
Many schools do not pay much attention to the amount of water consumed or how groundwater could be optimally used. Many of the institutions instead depend on tanker supply, which comes at a cost, or use drinking water for all purposes.
Mr. Raghavan and his team members who have advised many educational institutions on water resource management and rainwater harvesting plan to use the Centre's experience to conduct the audit.
“Even some reputed schools do not understand the need to manage water resources efficiently and harness rainwater. They spend heavily on purchasing water. Flooding on school premises can be prevented to some extent if rainwater harvesting is implemented properly,” he said. The centre plans to collect information on the daily water consumption, student strength, the area of the school premises, availability of water resources and quality and whether rainwater harvesting has been implemented.
Based on the findings of water audit, the team from the centre would visit the educational institutions and provide advice free of cost on water management and cost cutting measures. “We are also looking for schools that have big campus, as there is more potential for harnessing rainwater,” Mr. Raghavan said.
The centre would also conduct awareness programme on water conservation and the importance of rainwater harvesting for school students as they would carry the message to their families. Students would be taught about use of different qualities of water for various purposes.
Representatives of various schools welcomed the move and awareness programmes for children. V.M.Kalavalli, headmistress of a government school in Ashok Nagar, said water from 10 borewells on the school premises is used by nearly 4,000 students.
Until a reverse osmosis plant was installed recently, the school was dependent on drinking water supplied by Chennai Metrowater.
V.Suma Padmanabhan, principal, Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School, said groundwater was used extensively for non-potable purposes and RWH system ensured the availability of water throughout the year.
The school has installed taps with push buttons to ensure that water is not wasted.
There are many other news related to water audit in schools. It is a qualitative and quantitative analysis of water consumption to identify means of reducing, reusing and recycling water. A water audit can help to save money by reducing the school bills, reduce wastage and unnecessary use and makes the students more aware and responsible.
The University of Arizona invented a SWAP (Save Water Audit Program). This programme can empower students, save water, energy, and money as well as connect with the community! More information can be obtained at http://cals.arizona.edu/arizonawet/teachersupport/swap
School Water Audit
Before the water audit
1. Look at the school’s water bills over a two-year period to identify changes in water use.
2. Calculate the average water consumption per student.
3. Identify the location of all water outlets such as toilets, showers, sinks, indoor and outdoor taps in the school.
4. Make a school community commitment to water education and water conservation and inform the school community (students, staff and parents) about the date of the water audit.
5. Arrange for an adult or student leader (teacher, parent) to assist a group of students to undertake the water audit.
On the day of the water audit
1. Remind staff and students that the water audit will be taking place and students will require access to all areas of the school for approximately 30 minutes.
2. Brief team leaders on the water audit process.
3. Organise the class into water audit groups and appoint a team leader, recorder and reporter.
4. Provide students with work sheets, pencils and a map of the school grounds and buildings.
5. Remind students of health and safety rules.
6. Each team leader reports on the results of their audit area.
7. Identify areas of water wastage and develop a school water savings action plan.
Equipment (A clip board for group leaders, buckets and/or one litre jugs, stop watches, tape measures, disposable gloves)
After the water audit
1. Develop a school water savings action plan. Identify short and long term water saving targets.
2. Inform the school community (students, staff and parents) of the outcomes of the water audit.
3. Establish a school protocol for reporting leaking taps and pipes.
Ongoing water education and water conservation strategies
1. Integrate water education and water conservation across all classes.
2. Undertake a school water audit annually.
3. Review and update your school water savings action plan annually.
4. Communicate and celebrate water saving achievements.
5. Integrate water saving strategies and outcomes into school policies.
6. Share your ideas and achievements with other schools and the wider community.
6. Share your ideas and achievements with other schools and the wider community.
