By Stephen Linnell
DESPITE the recent rain, Wyndham students will this month be encouraged to learn more about water conservation as part of a new educational program launched last week.
Water: Learn it! Live it! is a free education program aimed at primary and secondary schools designed to encourage students and teachers to include water conservation lessons in the classroom.
City West Water managing director Anne Barker said the learning resource kit would give schools new ideas and tools to teach students about the importance of saving water.
“The drought, one of the worst on record, has taken its toll on Melbourne’s water supply and climate change will pose long-term challenges for our young people,” Ms Barker said.
“The program encourages students to save water in their homes and schools. Every drop saved puts less pressure on our catchments and goes towards helping the long-term sustainability of our water supply.
“Young people face a drier future and we want to teach them water conservation habits for life.”
“Younger students might learn about how water is used in the community while older students might tackle more challenging projects like researching the impacts of drought or developing water-saving technologies.
“Many schools already involved in the program have incorporated water conservation lessons in really innovative ways, including students carrying out a school water audit, hosting water forums and planting drought tolerant gardens.”
Water: Learn it! Live it! has been developed by Melbourne’s four water authorities, City West Water, South East Water, Yarra Valley Water and Melbourne Water.
More than 190 schools have signed up since it was launched two years ago.
