South East Water supplies 400 million litres of drinking water every day to 1.5 million people in the South East of England. Its supply area covers some 3607km2 of Kent, Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire.
South East Water wished to develop their own primary schools campaign to support schools in the provision of free, fresh drinking water. However, during this time, the company was facing severe water shortages during one of the driest summers on record. A hosepipe ban came into force and it was therefore vital that the campaign combined water savings and efficiency messages into the health message of good hydration.
Having undertaken research on water consumption and efficiency options, we knew that schools are major water users, consuming on average 5000 litres per day. We also knew that approximately 60% of this is used to flush toilets and urinals. An unmanaged flushing system can waste up to half of this amount, which ultimately amounts to a higher water bill. By promoting and adopting water efficiency measures, schools can achieve substantial savings off their water bills, whilst using less water and in some cases, the savings are enough to offset the cost of mains fed water coolers and refillable water bottles.
We therefore based our campaign model on a package designed to offer schools free water audits to assess the potential savings they could make on their bills. The groundbreaking scheme promotes the benefits of drinking more water and wasting less, while helping primary schools fit mains fed water coolers and provide refillable bottles to encourage students to drink water regularly throughout the school day.
Schools are encouraged to carry out a water audit of their pipes, toilets and taps to reduce the amount of water wasted and lost to leakage. All schools are fitted with water meters which means they pay for the amount of water they use.
If schools use unmanaged water flushing systems, the campaign offers them new managed systems at reduced rates. The payback on these systems is approx 9 months, after which time, savings continue for the life of the system. Mains fed water coolers are available at preferential rates and free installation, with Thirst Aid refillable water bottles included as part of the package.
An Activity Pack was produced, containing advice and guidance for teachers on drinking water provision in schools and a DIY Water Audit for Facilities Managers. It included activities for children such as a drinking water diary and even a tinkle test to get children thinking about the danger signs of dehydration!
We carried out a successful pilot of the project at Heyworth Primary School, in Haywards Heath, in Sussex, where coolers and bottles were fitted and a water audit carried out.
Headteacher Sandie Piper said: "As an eco school we welcomed the opportunity to save on diminishing water supplies. The financial savings will be a real bonus too - more resources targeted directly on learning!"