Introduction of Metered Water Charges for Schools
Water charges based on volumetric consumption have been introduced with effect from 1st January, 2010, in line with Government Policy.
What are the water charge rates for this year? The consolidated charge for 2010 will be €1.82 per cubic metre for consumers who are liable for water and waste water charges. For consumers who are charged on a “water-in” basis only, the cost is €0.91 per cubic metre.
In advance of the introduction of metered bills, the Department of Education and Science issued Circular 0046/2008 to all Primary and Post Primary Schools to advise on the most appropriate measures to minimise excess consumption of water and to reduce wastage where it exists.
In 2008, Fingal County Council conducted a Water Conservation Project in two schools in the County. The aim of the project was to examine the water consumption in the schools and to identify areas where improvements could be made (see report above).
How much water does your school use?
You may be surprised to find out how much water your school is actually using. You may also be surprised to find out how easy it is to significantly reduce the amount of water you are using at school.
Ways to conserve water
Water demand in schools arise typically from appliances, urinals, toilets, taps, showers, water used to maintain the school grounds and water leakage.
Appliances
• Ensure that when buying appliances for washing etc that the most water and energy efficient machines are purchased.
Urinals
• Installing automatic flushing systems
Older schools that do not have any control devices on their urinal cisterns could benefit considerably by installing cistern flush controllers. A urinal without controls will simply keep filling and flushing water 24 hours, seven days a week and are very wasteful. Urinal controls are based on presence detection and only flush the urinals after use (they will also have a setback programme to ensure minimum flushing for hygiene purposes during school holidays).
Toilets
• Variable flushing devices
These are retrofitted devices which allow pupils having flushed the toilet to press a button when the toilet bowl is clear; the depressed button will then interrupt the flush and stop unnecessary water wastage. They are relatively easy to fit, requiring no plumbing or maintenance. They are not suitable for concealed or built-in toilet cisterns.
• Water dams and displacement devices in WC’s
Water dams and displacement devices reduce the amount of water that can fill the cistern and thus act as a water displacement device.
They are appropriate for older cisterns, toilet cisterns with a 7 - 9 litre flush (usually installed 1993-1999) have the potential to save up to 1 litre per flush. Toilet cisterns with a 9 litre flush or greater (usually installed pre1993) have the potential to save up to 3 litres per flush. They should not be used on modern low volume cisterns and may not be appropriate in some cases where drains may be in poor condition.
• Installing reduced flush toilets
Replacing a 9 litre flush toilet with a dual flush toilet with 3 and 6 litre flushes can save up to half the water used for WC flushing.
• Ball valves and overflows
Ball valves and overflows on WC cisterns should be checked regularly. Some cisterns have an externally piped overflow and some have internal overflows. With an internal overflow the spill over is into the bowl. Ball valves on the schools large cold water storage tanks should be checked annually at the same time that the tanks are being inspected and cleaned.
Taps
Leaking taps can usually be repaired by replacing worn washers.
• Self-closing taps
Taps left running waste enormous amounts of water. Consider replacing conventional screw taps with percussion taps that close automatically after a preset period of between 1 and 30 seconds, thus reducing the possibility of taps left running. Some models also have a flow rate restrictor which can be used to deliver a lower flow rate than conventional taps. Self-closing taps need to be inspected and maintained regularly. It may be possible to just change the tap head without having to disturb the tap body or wash hand basin plumbing.
• Spray taps
Spray taps can save up to 50% water consumption. Spray taps need to be inspected and maintained regularly to make sure there is no soap, grease or lime scale blocking the spray outlet.
Showers
Showers left running waste enormous amounts of water. Consider replacing conventional shower controls with percussion controls that close automatically after a preset period of time. Self-closing controls need to be inspected and maintained regularly.
Water used to maintain the school grounds
If you use a very significant amount of water for watering school grounds or playing fields, you should discuss with your Local Authority whether it would be worthwhile to pay for a separate water supply connection and meter for this purpose, so that you do not have to pay the waste water element of the charge on this usage. There may also be a local water supply on the school ground that while not appropriate for drinking may be suitable for watering the grounds.
Water butts collect rainwater from down pipes connected to the school buildings guttering. It is worth considering installing water butts for use on the external grounds, child safety should be paramount with access to the butts internal water volume totally restricted via locked lids.
The application of mulch around plants and flower beds can conserve water by reducing surface evaporation (it also helps control weed growth). If the soil is heavy clay the incorporation of a mixture of organic matter and sharp sand or grit will open up the ground and help water retention, thus reducing the soil cracking during a dry summer. If the soil is free draining a mixture of organic matter will also help water retention.
The most efficient way to protect a grassed area in dry weather is to adjust the height of the mower blades to 4 cm to encourage dense growth that allows the morning dew to be trapped. Cutting the grass less during dry weather and leaving the cuttings on the lawn will promote the return of moisture and nutrients to the soil.
School Teachers can use the Information and Activity Sheets below to educate pupils on the importance of conserving water and to enable pupils to be proactive in reducing your school's water consumption:
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