Water Resources

Water is Wisconsin's most precious natural resource, and though we appear to have an abundance of water, we cannot be complacent about how we use and manage it. The growing demand for groundwater is depleting aquifers and affecting water quality in some areas, raising concerns about the potential impacts on public health and surface water resources. This section will help you identify current water use practices in your school, and start you thinking about how you can modify these practices to conserve water and maintain public health.

Discovery and Inventory

In addition to completing the water section of the Green & Healthy Schools Assessment all schools serviced by a private well must sample their well for chemical contaminants and bacteria regularly, prior to registering into the Green & Healthy Schools Program (as specified in the Wisconsin Safe Drinking Water Act Standards). See the following link for more information.

• NonCommunity Water System - Owner Responsibilities
• Drinking Water Issues [exit DNR]

Action and Implementation

Schools qualifying to be a Green & Healthy School must meet the following Green & Healthy School requirements:

• water conservation, the water cycle, and school water supply/discharge are included in the curriculum,
• staff perform regular maintenance on water fixtures and plumbing,
• students/staff identify and implement water conservation and health practices in the school, and
• handwashing is promoted for staff and students.

The resources below can provide you with ideas on how to meet these requirements.

Reaching Higher

If you choose to go further after your school becomes a Green & Healthy School, the following resources can also be used to help you meet the Reaching Higher requirements.

Teaching

In order to save water at your school, students need to know where their water comes from and where it goes, how to save water, and most important, they need to understand why they should save water. The following Web sites contain water-related lessons and curriculum connections.

• Water Environment Federation [exit DNR]
• EPA Water Curriculum [exit DNR]
• Water Conservation Resource for Teachers [exit DNR]
• EEK!
• Magnificent Groundwater Connection [exit DNR]
• Don’t Use it All Up! [exit DNR]
• Water Lesson Plans [exit DNR]
• Water Education Santa Barbara County [exit DNR]
• Project WET [exit DNR]
• Wisconsin Water Fact

Water Conservation Ideas

There are all kinds of ways you can save water in and around your school, including the use of water flow sensors in bathrooms and kitchens, native plants on school grounds, detention basins near runoff areas, etc. Research some interesting ways your school can reduce its water consumption using the following resources, or try and come up with your own ideas.

• Conservation Tips [exit DNR]
• Water Use it Wisely - Water Saving Tips [exit DNR]
• H20 House Water Saving Tips [exit DNR]
• Using water efficiently - Water Saving Ideas [PDF exit DNR]
• Rain Gardens
• Water Conservation Tips for Schools [exit DNR]
• Water Saving Case Studies and Tips [exit DNR]

Scheduled Maintenance

To ensure that all water fixtures and devices are operating as efficiently as possible, set up a maintenance schedule. Walk through all restrooms, kitchens, and any other areas containing water fixtures and check all fixtures. Leaking or inoperable fixtures and sensors should be recorded and a plan to replace or repair the devices should be developed. Your Green Team should help develop a maintenance schedule.

Hand Washing Programs

Hand washing is one of the most effective ways to reduce the spread of infection in and around your school. By reducing the spread of infection your school can minimize the number of sick days taken by students and staff and create a healthier school environment. Use the following resources to learn how to promote and increase hand washing at your school.

• It's a Snap [exit DNR]
• Food Safe Schools [exit DNR]
• Wash Your Hands [exit DNR]

Comprehensive Water Conservation Program

A comprehensive program includes more than the implementation of few one-time events or programs, it should include changes in everyday behaviors and operations. This may require operational or policy changes within your school. To help develop a comprehensive water conservation program you can use a variety of the resources above. You should however take some time to discuss what types of water saving efforts would work best in your school with school staff and students and then develop a plan to implement, educate, and inform your school on the water saving efforts. The following resource may help you to organize or start a water conservation program at your schools.

• Drop by Drop [exit DNR]

Celebrating Water Savings

Hard work pays off, and it’s important to celebrate your schools accomplishments. Document the amount of water used and water costs to determine how successful your water saving efforts have been from one year to the next. If your school is on the right track, your water use and bills should be decreasing. Make sure everyone knows that their efforts are making a difference, and celebrate.

Water Saving Fixtures

The installation of water saving fixtures is one of the most effective ways for your school to save water. If your school has not replaced their water fixtures (faucets, shower heads, toilets) with low flow water saving fixtures develop a plan to replace your school’s existing fixtures with water saving alternatives. Use the following resource to find out how much water your school can save per fixture.

• Water Saving Fixtures [exit DNR]

Community Action

Now that you’ve learned about all the benefits of saving water, why not share your knowledge with your community so they can join in! Here are just a few ideas:

• a native plant sale,
• low flow shower head sale,
• water expo where members of the community come in and listen to what students and staff have done in the school to save water,
• article in local paper describing how your school saved water and how much you saved,
• students design water saving pamphlets/posters to provide ideas to the community for water savings,
• students complete a home water audit and share results and suggestions for improvements with family members or,
• students create a rain garden at a community site to prevent runoff.

Use some of the resources on this page for ideas or try and come up with your own.

• Give Water a Hand [exit DNR]