Water

Water is an important issue in schools because schools use 22,284 gallons of water a day according to TampaGov. The way your school manages water can have a significant impact on conserving water as a resource, curbing energy consumption to heat water, the health of your students and staff, and finally, the impact your gray water has on the environment.

In an effort to make your school green, you should consider two approaches to managing your water. The first is to use less, which includes technologies such as low-flush toilets, waterless urinals, and xeriscaping. Click here to read an article about one school district that decided to use waterless urinals in order to save an estimated 8 millions gallons of water a year. The second approach is to implement ways your school can use water more efficiently. For example, gray water can often be collected and then re-used minimizing the consumption of fresh water resources. Gray water may also be used for other purposes on your school grounds.

The Center for Environmental Education is researching ways to help you manage your school’s water as a critical step to becoming a green school. In the meantime…

For a comprehensive look at conserving water in your facility including background knowledge of the issues and tips on implementing strategies, check out the Water Use Backgrounder by Greener Buildings.

To take action now and begin conserving, check out this water efficiency checklist for your school facility managers.

If you want to know more about a water topic not covered here, check out these links offered by the USGS.

Bring water to the classroom with these water education materials for teachers and consider this book for your students, All the way to the Ocean by Joel Harper about non-point source/storm-water pollution.