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Schools Celebrate Water SavingsMore than 50 people helped celebrate the water saving achievements of local schools at a recognition ceremony recently. By Gippsland Water - 22nd June 2007 - Back to News Schools in the Gippsland Water service area were invited to take part in a pilot project for the statewide Schools Water Efficiency Program (SWEP), which took place early last year. Fifteen schools participated in the pilot project and reduced water use by an average of 14 per cent per site.
As part of the program, a water audit was conducted at each school, identifying ways in which the school could reduce their water use. Both primary and secondary schools participated in the program, including government, non-government and special development schools.
The ceremony to recognise the commitment and effort of each school was held at Willow Grove Primary School. Gippsland Water’s water conservation officer Kain Jackson presented the awards, along with Les Walker, from the Department of Sustainability and Environment, and project manager for the Schools Water Efficiency Program Jo Lepp. The ceremony was also attended by Gippsland Water Board member Leah Young and local Member for Morwell Russell Northe.
Each participating school received a framed certificate signed by the Hon John Thwaites MP, Minister for Water, Environment and Climate Change and will also receive signs to be displayed on the school fence indicating the school is water efficient.
The success of the Gippsland pilot project has seen SWEP introduced to schools across Victoria. The State Government’s $3 million program offers a simple solution to water conservation, through simple measures, such as fitting flow control valves, fixing leaky taps or cisterns and replacing inefficient toilet cisterns. It also identifies where action may be taken to best target water savings in the future.
The benefits of participating in SWEP include:
- Schools participating in SWEP can save water straight away without an initial outlay of funds
- Receive ongoing savings on water bills
- Gain official recognition as a water efficient school
- All water savings are guaranteed. Water usage will be monitored for a three year period
- Students can learn about water saving in action. The SWEP is the perfect companion to the water conservation education program – Water Learn it! Live it!
More information about the SWEP is available by telephoning Gippsland Water on 1800 066 401 or Ms Jo Lepp on 1300 727 599.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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