ResourceSmart Schools Water Module
Water is a valuable resource, especially in our changing climate.
When students understand where water comes from and the processes involved in getting water to the school, they will better understand how precious it is and how best to use it.
Water efficiency helps schools to:
- Reduce water and energy costs
- Provide learning opportunities for young leaders
- Build a stronger school culture based on good communication and shared goals
- Raise the schools profile in the community
- Contribute to a better environment through water efficiency.
The Water Module assists schools to reduce water use and save on bills. Schools can improve water use on school grounds and through partnering with their community on river health, waterway protection and coastal care projects.
The Water Module involves 3 key areas:
- Workplace/operational
Save water by assessing the way water is used in the school through audits, creating a water plan, managing water usage in your grounds and school yard, retrofitting and new technology as well as maintenance.
- Learning and teaching
Explore curriculum activities that engage students in learning to be more sustainable users of water.
- Whole school community engagement
Embed sustainability and being water smart into the life of the school and wider community.
If signing up and committing to the ResourceSmart Schools program it is recommended to start and complete the Core Module first then proceed with other modules in any order or the same time. If not signing up to the program, schools can utilise the Water resources to become more sustainable.
Module completion
Complete 6 compulsory actions and a minimum of 22 of the 33 recommended actions to meet certification requirements.
ResoureSmart Schools Water Module resources
ResourceSmart Water Module checklist
18 July 2022 – A list of all actions to help each school through the ResourceSmart Schools program Water Module.
Quick Guide Water Module
15 March 2023 – This guide helps a school to work through the Water Module.
ResourceSmart Water Module Annual Action Plan
1 August 2022 – Use this yearly action plan template to reflect the activities your school would like to undertake to improve water conservation.
Water Infrastructure Audit Template
15 March 2023 – This audit template helps schools understand their water infrastructure.
ResourceSmart Water audit tool
26 November 2020 – Tools to assist schools to undertake their annual water audit.
Water Maintenance Procedure Template
15 March 2023 – This template helps schools to manage maintenance of water using appliances and infrastructure.
Green Events Policy Template
15 March 2023 – This policy template helps schools articulate their approach to holding sustainable and environmentally friendly events.
Curriculum links: Level F–6
18 July 2019 – Helping schools to build sustainability into their curriculum in all subject areas from foundation to grade 6.
Additional Water resources
- Water – learn it. live it. – Water – learn it. live it. is a water education initiative for both primary and secondary schools operating within metropolitan Melbourne and is also available through regional areas of Victoria.
- Melbourne Water – Resources to educate primary, secondary and tertiary students and the community. Visitors to ‘Melbourne’s Water Story’ will journey through the city’s settlement and end with a look to the future. Explore events with videos, web-links and current data. The website also includes curriculum linked Teacher Resources with individual classroom activities, lesson plans and excursion kits for about waterway health, sewage treatment and stormwater management.
- Waterwatch Victoria – For more than 23 years, the Victorian Waterwatch Program has been connecting local communities with waterway health and sustainable water management issues. Through the Waterwatch Program, citizen scientists are supported and encouraged to become actively involved in local waterway monitoring and onground activities. Waterwatch Victoria has developed a range of resources to support teachers and students.
Want to know more? Get in touch with:
ResourceSmart Schools Education Team
Sustainability Victoria
1300 363 744
schools@sustainability.vic.gov.au
