Schools across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset will collectively save over 15 million litres of water a year after efficiency visits from South West Water.
This year, the South West Water’s water efficiency team have visited 57 schools across Devon, Cornwall and Somerset and fitted water-saving devices that can significantly reduce use and support environmental sustainability.
The visits included a water efficiency assessment, fitting devices such as kitchen and bathroom tap inserts, shower flow reducers, urinal flush controls and save-a-flush devices, and checking for leaks and fixing them.
As a result of the programme, participating schools have reduced their water consumption by saving a combined 42,960 litres of water a day. The reduction is expected to help schools lower operating costs while supporting wider efforts to protect water resources across the South West.
Delivering water efficiency visits in schools helps reduce water bills and allow more budget for resources for the children. It also reduces demand, even during the school holidays. A lack of controls on the water flow would otherwise go unnoticed, just like leaky loos.
Megan Williams, Water Efficiency Delivery Manager for South West Water, said: “Schools are at the heart of their communities. It's fantastic to see so many schools embracing simple water-saving measures and achieving such impressive results.
"Every drop counts. By making small changes, schools have demonstrated how collective action can make a real difference, helping to conserve water and build resilience for the future."
South West Water also offers engaging educational classes across the region designed to help primary school children understand how they can use water efficiently and teach them about the life cycle of this precious resource.
South West Water’s Community Education Officer, Sophie Moore, teaches primary school students across Devon and Cornwall the importance of water, a few of those have also had water efficiency devices installed.
Sophie added: “It’s brilliant to see how much water the schools we have visited are saving. Engaging with students on our most precious resource is so important and I hope that more schools come forward for more lessons and water efficiency visits so we can keep young people informed.”
Four schools that Sophie visited this year have managed to achieve a combined savings of 2,410 litres of water a day after organising a water efficiency visit, including having leaky loos fixed.
You can find out more about South West Water’s education programme, and even book a lesson, here Education | South West Water
To find out more about South West Water’s water efficiency visits, including water-saving tips, visit: Businesses & retailers | South West Water