Become a Waterwise school, helping to protect and sustain the planet with

Transcription

1 Become a Waterwise school, helping to protect and sustain the planet with Waterwise project: Every drop counts

2 Waterwise project: Every drop counts Contents: Introduction 2 Sessions overview 4 Session plans Session 1: Why should we be waterwise? 5 Session 2: Reading a water meter/managing the water supply 8 Session 3: A school water audit (self-audit) 11 Is our school wasting water? Session 4: Plans for the future an action plan 15 Session 5: Water at home 19 Session 6: Are you a waterwise family? 22 Additional activities: Keeping a record/keeping going 24 Glossary 25 Evaluation/Feedback form 26 2

3 Introduction Background Anglian Water is the largest of 10 water and wastewater companies in England and Wales. The Anglian Water region covers around 27,500 square kilometres that s around a fifth of the total area of England and Wales! We provide water to more than 4.7 million customers. On a typical day Anglian Water supplies about 1,200 million litres of water, which is treated at 140 drinking water treatment works and supplied through more than 37,000 kilometres of water pipes. This education resource aims to make long-term improvements in water management and water efficiency in schools. It will also increase pupil awareness of how precious water is and what they and their community can do to conserve it. Anglian Water is aware of a range of initiatives in schools and this project has been designed to allow schools to respond to: Sustainable school S3 document (self-evaluation for schools to evaluate their own sustainability) Eco schools award International school award This resource particularly addresses the requirements of the Sustainable schools programme. The S3 document requires schools to develop an action plan and take the lead in their communities by showcasing freshwater conservation, use of rainwater and other measures. Eco-efficiency measures can help schools reduce their need for energy and water, as well as reducing their environmental impact. Reducing the amount of energy and water a school uses can result in real cost savings. Schools spend a total of around 70 million a year on water; a large secondary school can spend as much as 20,000 per year on water. Every year the average consumption of water by each secondary and primary school pupil is 11 cubic metres (11 tonnes!) and seven cubic metres respectively. It has been shown that with careful water management, coupled with an education programme, water use in schools can be reduced to four cubic metres per pupil per year.* This could save a school of 600 pupils around 5,000 annually. (*Water Watch 2007) 3

4 Anglian Water s waterwise project will assist your school in its preparation of the sustainable school policy by providing a detailed water audit involving students and teachers. The water audit could be used as a template for other audits. The resource guides students and teachers in using the water audit results to develop a water management action plan. There are many useful websites with information about water-related topics. The following are among the many sites available (Key Stage 2 materials and information) 4

5 Sessions overview Session 1 Why should we be waterwise? The world s useable water and the impact of climate change. Session 2 Reading a water meter. Find your water meter and take regular readings. Session 3 A school water audit. Identifying where water is used. Is our school wasting water? Identifying problems and solutions. Session 4 Plans for the future an action plan. Developing an action plan. Session 5 Water at home. Water meter readings at home. Session 6 Are you a waterwise family? Encouraging and evaluating water-saving behaviour at home. Additional activities Keeping a record. Continuing to make progress. 5

6 Session 1 Why should we be waterwise? This session can be used as the basis for a whole school assembly or for class and group sessions. Remember to inform all school staff about the project and enlist their support. Objectives To introduce the project to the whole school community. To explain why we all need to be waterwise. There are many reasons why we should all be waterwise. We all take water for granted, and often give little thought to the commodity that keeps us alive. The world s water Three quarters of the Earth s surface is covered with water. People can t use about 97 per cent of the world s water because it is found in oceans and is salt water. About two per cent of the world s water is frozen in ice caps and glaciers. About one per cent is fresh water. Did you know that every drop of water is used again and again and that we share it with all living things, past, present and future? (Demonstrate by filling a large, clear fish tank/bowl with water to represent all water on Earth. Mark on 97 per cent - salt water, two per cent - frozen water and one per cent - fresh water. Remove the water to the one per cent mark to show how much is usable.) A dry region The Anglian Water region is one of the driest in the country. It receives, on average, only 600 millilitres of rain a year around the same as Jerusalem, in Israel, or half the national average rainfall for the whole of England and Wales. 6

7 1 Although the planet is covered in oceans, only one per cent of water in the world is actually drinkable. 2 3 To make water safe to drink we use a lot of energy, so conserving water also helps save energy. You can save money on household water bills by being waterwise. 7 7

8 Climate change It is predicted that temperatures could rise by between three and five degrees Celsius by 2080 and weather patterns could become more extreme (based on the UKCIP High Emission scenario). It is expected: Winter rainfall will increase. Summer rainfall will decrease. Sea levels will rise by between 22 and 82 centimetres. Anglian Water is considering the impact on our sites specifically temporary or permanent loss due to flooding, sea level rise and coastal realignment. This will require adaptations to our way of life in the future. Saving energy To make water safe to drink we use a lot of energy, so conserving water also helps save energy and so fewer carbon dioxide/greenhouse gas emissions are produced. Saving money water meters Many of us waste water. Just think about how long the tap is left running each time you clean your teeth, or use a hosepipe when we wash the car. However, by making a few small changes to our behaviour we can help save water. Having a water meter means customers can easily check how much water they are using and they also only pay for the amount of water they use. Further development Investigate the causes of climate change and the impact it will have on the world s water. Investigate and compare climates in different regions of the world. Are these climates changing? Students design and produce leaflets and posters, encouraging the school community to be waterwise. The following are some useful websites to do further research. (click on water) (The Sustainable schools website helps schools gain information, inspiration, resources and workshops for education for sustainable development.) 8

9 Session 2 Reading a water meter Find your water meter The first thing you need to do is locate your school water meter/s. The main meter will be on the incoming main, usually coming off the road at the front of the school, although its exact location will vary. The site manager or building supervisor will be able to help you locate the meter. Safety should be given due consideration in lifting any cover/s. If you cannot find your water meter, contact Anglian Water s Business Customer Services team. How to read your water meter The water coming into your school flows through the water meter, which is fitted in the water pipe. The numbers on the dial record how much water has been used since the meter was fitted. The dial will look something like this: The first four numbers indicate how many thousands of litres of water have been used 623,000 litres of water. The last three numbers tell you how many litres to add to the thousands. So the reading on this meter is 623,451 litres. 9

10 Our school s water use Location of your school water meter: Type of meter: 6 digit 7 digit 8 digit Use the school water meter to measure the amount of water used over two consecutive weeks. Week 1 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 2nd reading (school finish) 1st reading (school start) Daily usage Total Weekend usage Monday morning reading from week 2 School week total Weekend usage Important: Was there any water use at night? (This means your school finish reading would be different from your school start reading for the next day.) Could cleaning or irrigation explain this water? If not, it could be that taps have been left on overnight or the school has leaky pipes. 10

11 Our school s water use Location of your school water meter: Type of meter: 6 digit 7 digit 8 digit Use the school water meter to measure the amount of water used over two consecutive weeks. Week 2 Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday 2nd reading (school finish) 1st reading (school start) Daily usage Total Weekend usage Monday morning reading from week 3 School week total Weekend usage Important: Was there any water use at night? (This means your school finish reading would be different from your school start reading for the next day.) Could cleaning or irrigation explain this water? If not, it could be that taps have been left on overnight or the school has leaky pipes. 11

12 Session 3 A school water audit Health and safety Prior to the audit, explain the health and safety requirements. You will be entering areas which could be wet underfoot, areas where there may be hot liquids and areas with electrical equipment. You will need: an adult a map of your school sensible shoes Walk carefully and wear sensible shoes. Think about hygiene in toilet areas and wash your hands after touching anything. The audit Decide who will complete the audit: the school council, a class, a year group, or a small group. Don t forget you need an adult with each group. You will need a map of your school, showing all the rooms and outside space. Mark on the map all areas with access to water; - Toilets boys, girls, staff and disabled - Staffroom - Offices - Classrooms, including shared areas - Kitchen - Hall/dining room/gym - Library - Storage rooms - Outdoor taps. Go to each area marked on the map and count how many of each water using item there are. Complete the table to record the information. Use the final column to record any other water-using items you find (dishwashers, boilers, washing machines). 12

13 Where is all the water used in our school? Where Number and type of hot taps (twist/lever/ sensor/push) Number and type of cold taps (twist/lever/ sensor/push) Number and type of flush toilets (single/dual flush) Total 13 Number and type of urinals (motion sensor/ continuous flush and fill) Mains-fed water coolers Other waterusing items 13

14 Identifying problems Use the grid below to record any problems, such as leaks, dripping taps or broken equipment. Name of item Problem: leak, dripping or broken Location Action to be taken 14 14

15 A school water audit How to do a water audit at your school. By completing a water audit at your school you can help improve water efficiency by identifying areas where water is being wasted. Here are some ideas to assist you with the water audit: Before the water audit 1 Look at the school s water bills over a two-year period. Identify changes in water use over time. What is the average water consumption per student? 2 Obtain a map of the school. Identify the location of all water outlets, such as toilets, sinks, and indoor and outdoor taps. 3 Make a school community commitment to water education and water conservation and inform the school community about the planned water audit. 4 Arrange for an adult to assist a group of students to undertake a water audit. This will take about one to one and a half hours. On the day of the water audit 1 Remind the staff and the students that a water audit will be taking place and students will require access to all areas of the school. 2 Organise the school council or class into water audit groups and allocate an area of the school to each group. 3 Remind the students of health and safety rules. After the water audit 1 Develop a school water-saving action plan, identify short and long-term water-saving targets. 2 Inform the school community 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 Undertake a school water audit annually. 2 Review and update your water-saving action plan annually. 3 Communicate and celebrate water-saving achievements. 4 Integrate water-saving strategies and outcomes into school policies. 5 Share your ideas and achievements with other schools and the wider community. 15

16 Session 4 Plans for the future an action plan Now you have water meter readings and you have completed a water audit of your school, you are ready to produce an action plan and a report for your headteacher and your governing body. The action plan Study your audit and consider the areas you have identified as waterwasting. Use the Fact sheet saving water at school and decide on your plans for improving water use. What are the priority areas? How much money is available to spend? Don t forget the outside spaces water butts, planting drought-resistant plants. Once you have made changes, monitor progress by taking meter readings. Make sure you tell people how much water they have saved. Waterwise report This report will be given to your headteacher and your governing body. Background information (including water meter readings). Water audit results. Action plan including water-saving suggestions. Assign responsibility for making sure the tasks are completed. Media campaign Develop a media campaign to advertise your school s waterwise project. Posters Leaflets Newsletters to parents Press release to the local media School website 16

17 Saving water at school top tips No cost Report all leaks and drips to taps, toilets and water coolers. Turn taps off fully, so there are no drips. Appoint water monitors. Encourage the whole school community to be waterwise. Fit water displacing devices in the toilet cisterns. (Save-a-flush gel bags are available from the Anglian Water website.) Low cost Fix leaking taps. Investigate leaks. Fit plugs in all sinks. Fit a water butt to collect water for plants. Medium cost Fit push taps. Fit flow restrictors if you have high water pressure. Plant drought resistant plants. Higher cost Fit sensor taps. Fit efficient automatic flush controls on urinals. Replace old inefficient fittings with modern water-efficient ones. Purchase water-efficient dishwashers and washing machines. Try for more ideas. Take a look at Anglian Water s watertight promise scheme. To find an approved plumber, use Anglian Water s Aplus scheme. For tips on how to create a waterwise garden, look on Anglian Water s website For suppliers

18 Waterwise report Write a summary of the school s water use prior to the audit and before you take any actions. - How many cold taps? - How many hot taps? - Does your school have water heaters? - How many urinals? - What type of urinals (continuous flow water running all the time or flush urinals)? - What other water-using items? - How much water does the school use in a typical day? - How much water does the school use in a typical week? - Working on a typical school year of 36 weeks, how much water will be used if nothing is done? Identify the areas where water is being wasted. Make an action plan of what needs to be done. Try to give costs for your ideas. After taking action to reduce your water use, read your meters and see just how much water and money the school is saving. - How much water is the school using now in a typical day? - How much water is the school using now in a typical week? - Working on a typical school year of 36 weeks, approximately how much water will be saved? 18

19 School water action plan School Date Priority Problem Action to be taken Person responsible Completion date Cost 19 19

20 Session 5 Water at home Find your water meter The first thing you need to do is ask an adult if you have a water meter at your house. If they are not sure, have a look at your water bill. Then find the water meter. The main meter will be on the incoming main, usually coming off the road at the front of your house near the pathway and before the road. It is best to work with an adult to find the meter, or ask them to ring the water company if it is not clear where it is located. How to read your water meter The water coming into your home flows through the water meter, which is fitted in the water pipe. The numbers on the dial record how much water has been used since the meter was fitted. The dial will look something like this: The first four numbers indicate how many thousands of litres of water have been used 623,000 litres of water. The last three numbers tell you how many litres to add to the thousands. So the reading on this meter is 623,451 litres. 20

21 How much water do we use at home? Locate, read and record your water meter reading on Monday night after baths and showers, and then all through the week. Week one Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Total week one Water meter reading Week two Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Total week two Water meter reading How much water has your family used over these two weeks? 21

22 How to be a waterwise family Agree as a family what you can do to become waterwise. In the kitchen we will Use a bowl or put a plug in the sink when washing our vegetables. Make sure our dishwasher is full before using it. Make sure our washing machine is full before using it. In the bathroom we will Turn off the tap when brushing our teeth. Install water-saving devices in the toilet cistern or a dual flush toilet. Install water-saving showerheads. Around the house and outside we will Fix all dripping taps. Wash our car with a bucket and sponge. Use a water butt to collect rain to water plants. Water the garden early in the morning or in the evening when it is cool. For more tips and ideas to help you save time, money and water, look at

23 Session 6 Are you a waterwise family? We use water at home in many different ways We need to drink water to stay healthy. We use water when we cook our food. We use water for washing our clothes, our dirty dishes and ourselves. Our washing machines and dishwashers also use a lot of water. Every time we flush the toilet we use water. Even our central heating systems contain water! Below is a guide to the amount of water used in different activities at home. Activity Running the tap Washing up in the sink Washing hands and face Taking a normal shower Taking a power shower Flushing the toilet Running a modern dishwasher Running a modern washing machine Having a bath Using a hosepipe Making food and drink How much water is used? 8 12 litres per minute 6 8 litres 3 9 litres 6 12 litres per minute litres per minute 6 12 litres 15 litres litres litres 550 1,000 litres per hour 6 10 litres Waterwise tips Don t let the tap run while you are brushing your teeth. Turn it off! Fill a basin or sink for washing, instead of letting the water run. Take a short shower instead of having a bath. Collect rainwater from your house roof into water butts, and then use it to water the garden. Wait until you have a full load before running the washing machine or dishwasher. 23

24 How waterwise are the members of your family? 1 Do you turn the tap off while brushing your teeth? Yes No 2 Do you wash vegetables or dishes in a bowl rather than under a running tap? Yes No 3 Do you run half-loads in your washing machine using the half-load button? Yes No 4 Do you wait until you have a full load before running the dishwasher? Yes No 5 Would you choose to have a shower instead of a bath? Yes No 6 Do you save rainwater in a water butt for the garden? Yes No 7 Do you use a watering can to water the garden? Yes No 8 Do you water the garden in the cool of the evening? Yes No 9 Do you use a bucket and sponge to wash your car? Yes No 10 Do you fix dripping taps as soon as you find them? Yes No How many times did you answer yes? If you scored: 5 or less you are a water waster 6 10 you are wising up to water 10 you are a waterwise whizz! 24

25 Additional activities Further ideas for you to explore with your pupils: Design water-saving signs/posters. Design water-saving devices. Produce a mural to encourage people to be waterwise. Develop role plays to show to younger children. Write stories or information books for younger children. Photograph or video the steps your school takes to become more waterefficient and use these on your website or send them to the local press. Visit old people s homes and share your tips for being waterwise. Visit local nurseries and share your waterwise tips. Design and plant a waterwise garden for your school. Invite the local community into your school and show them that simple things can make a difference. Compare the UK s average water use with other countries. Consider the impact of different climates and lifestyles. Link with a school in another country to share your experiences and discover how they use water. Visit and consider what your school could do to help. Explore what happens to all your wastewater. Where does all your clean water come from? Investigate the impact of climate change today and in the past. Investigate the impact of mankind on the environment, both locally and worldwide. Investigate the water cycle. Investigate management of the local environment, for example coastal defences and building reservoirs. 25

26 Glossary Audit to inspect or examine a building to make it more efficient Commodity something of use or value Consecutive following one another Conservation to preserve or protect through good management Consumption how much has been used Displacing devices objects that take the place of water Drought a long period of time when there is little or no rain Eco-efficiency efficient use, in an ecologically friendly way Efficient performing in the best possible manner Emissions substances released into the air Environment the surrounding area Flow restrictors reduce the amount of water coming down a pipe Greenhouse gas any gas which is responsible for the greenhouse effect carbon dioxide, etc Protocol agreement on a method or way of doing something Strategies method or plan Sustainable a way of doing things that allows it to continue Toilet cistern container above a toilet holding water for flushing Wastewater dirty water or sewage, water that has been used Water cycle the never-ending way in which water is recycled into the air and comes back to Earth Water efficiency the efficient use of water, not overusing or wasting 26

27 Feedback form Please complete and return this form to us to receive your certificate. Contact name: Position: School: Address: Postcode: Telephone: Number of staff: Number of pupils: Water supplier: Wastewater treated by: Number of water meters: Water standing charge: Wastewater standing charge: Water volumetric charge: Wastewater volumetric charge: 1 Did your school complete the whole pack? Yes No 2 If not, which sessions did you miss out? 3 Which of the sessions did you find the most effective? - Session 1: Why should we be waterwise? - Session 2: Reading a water meter - Session 3: The audit 27

28 - Session 4: Plans for the future an action plan - Session 5: Water at home - Session 6: Are you a waterwise family? 4 Why did you find this session the most effective? 5 Did you have any practical problems implementing the waterwise project (lack of funding, difficulty with plumbers, etc)? 6 Can you identify any changes in student or staff behaviour as a result of this project? 7 How much of a water saving have you made? litres per week 8 Have parents participated in this project? Yes No 9 Did you feel this resource missed any essential activities/concepts? 10 In your opinion could anything be added to this resource to make it more effective? If you would like to receive our Anglian Water Certificate which will support your Eco-Schools accreditation or support your efforts for Sustainable Schools status, please confirm the following: We have completed the water audit and action plan within the project, to ensure we monitor and plan to reduce water consumption in the school wherever possible. Name: Position Signed Thank you for your time. Post to: Education Team Anglian Water Services Ltd, Anglian House, Ambury Road, Huntingdon, Cambs, PE29 3NZ education@anglianwater.co.uk 28

29 Want to know more about Anglian Water? Visit to see the full range of our services. Education Centres Chelmsford Education Centre Chelmsford STW Brook End Road Chelmsford Essex CM2 6NZ Education Centre Manager Linslade Education Centre Linslade STW Globe Lane Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire LU7 2TA Education Centre Manager Mobile Education Centre Education Administrator Corby Education Centre Weldon Road Corby Northants NN17 5UE Anglian Water Birdwatching Centre Egleton Rutland LE15 8BT Employee Volunteering Contacts Head office Anglian Water Services Ltd Anglian House Ambury Road Huntingdon Cambridgeshire PE29 3NZ Main Switchboard Education and Community Manager Education Administrator Registered Office Anglian Water Services Ltd Anglian House, Ambury Road Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE29 3NZ Registered in England No Tel Fax AW165/07/09