Green Limerick: Support for green schools’ water conservation pours in

STUDENTS across Limerick schools have been building a deep reservoir of knowledge on the importance of water conservation as part of a unique Green Schools programme.

Uisce Éireann has confirmed its continued sponsorship of An Taisce’s Green-Schools programme to support schools in Limerick working to gain a water-themed Green Flag.

Eamon Gallen of Uisce Éireann, said: “It is truly inspiring to see how the schools taking part in the Green-Schools water theme are setting an example for how we should all value our precious water resources and have proved just how much water can be salvaged.”

Now in its tenth year the sponsorship has seen over 2.6 billion litres of water saved, which is the equivalent to filling 1,040 Olympic-size swimming pools.

A total of 161 students across Limerick are water ambassadors for the programme, with 52 schools in Limerick and neighbouring counties taking part in the Green School initiative.

The objective of the Green-Schools water theme is to develop awareness around water conservation and how to manage our important water resources at school and at home.

The programme incorporates elements designed to foster increased understanding of the value of, and pressures on, Ireland’s water sources. Central to this is a focus on water conservation: encouraging participating students and schools to take action to reduce their water use in school and at home.

In total, over 370,000 students across Ireland have completed the programme, achieving 1,310 Green Flags, as well as participating in a range of additional initiatives.

These include poster and video competitions, Walks for Water, Water Ambassador programmes and a range of workshops with Irish Water and other stakeholders in the water sector.

Joanne Scott, Green Schools Manager, said: “The support over the past nine years has enabled us to create and develop resources, events, and ongoing initiatives to assist schools as best we can with their work on our water theme."

The sponsorship aims to foster awareness and understanding of water conservation, supply, protection, and pollution issues among schools and offers practical ideas, actions, and solutions on reducing consumption levels and increasing sustainability.

The Water Theme is tailored to students at all stages of their development, from junior primary to secondary level with a range of activities to suit all ages.

In addition to developing awareness around water conservation the sponsorship incorporates wider engagement around stewardship of water resources, including raising awareness of the impacts of wastewater on inland and coastal waterways.

Ms Scott added: "Each year our schools have achieved incredibly low water use and a strong school-wide culture of water

conservation which is demonstrated in the massive water savings made since the sponsorship began.”

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