Schools will teach academic subjects along with the values that will help children become law-abiding members of society. Their civic duty does not end there, as they also need to imbibe environmental awareness and concern. This is necessary, especially for those concerns wherein they can actually make a difference. Global warming, since it is a very wide-reaching problem, is part of that; so is water scarcity.

The school officials and teachers should also set a good example by presenting and practicing practical solutions to these global issues. Communities have encouraged conservation measures such as water recycling, so schools should also have conservation efforts to raise awareness and encourage children to develop better habits.

It needs to start with the adults, from the school officials to the teachers.

School Officials

School officials need to implement policies to promote water conservation. What they can control are the facilities used by the teachers, students, and staff. Of course, any water conservation efforts should not be at the cost of promoting cleanliness and healthy habits such as handwashing. However, they can switch to using modern, water-efficient equipment.

Installing aerators at school faucets is a possible step, but they should capitalize on a teaching moment by illustrating to the students exactly what an aerator is. That way, they can be very clear that the purpose of the aerator is to minimize water discharge, and that the school really intends to save water.

They could also impose the use of water-saving equipment by the cleaners and maintenance. Pressure hoses for cleaning and sprinklers for the garden can be replaced with water-saving alternatives, such as a pail and a dipper or a water pot.

It can also be implemented in the bathrooms. There are now toilet designs with eco-friendly flush systems. They consume half of the usual 5 gallons of a regular flush. That can cut almost half of the water consumption in schools if they apply this.

Teachers

Teachers can include water conservation in their lesson plan. The lessons should center on introducing the concepts of scarcity and the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources. Along with that, the difference between freshwater and saltwater, emphasizing the scarce amount of water and how we much we depend on it.

If teachers get this message across, it would be easier to teach children about the importance of conservation measures and why it should be a way of life.

Developing Conservation Habits

A simple method to conserve water is to turn off the water when not in use. Even just turning off the water while applying soap or brushing your teeth, can make a big difference.

Another habit that students can develop is reporting leaks and faulty faucets. If students are aware that these problems contribute to the wastage of a valuable resource, they should develop the courage to report them to the authorities.

Another water conservation solution is to reduce the use of water cooling systems and air conditioning. Even small adjustments in the thermostat could bring savings, not just for energy but also of water.

Any conservation effort should begin with awareness and the willingness to act. Otherwise, it would be fleeting and empty because the practice will stop once the implementation is lightened. If citizens are genuinely concerned about water conservation, they can develop and embrace these habits.