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Theme 3: Human Impacts on Catchments

Topic: Water Conservation

Water - A Scarce Resource

Most people know that water is a scarce and limited resource. Of all the water in the world, about 97% is seawater, 2% is polar ice and only a very small 1% is fresh water. The amount of water in the world remains the same - it never changes - so conservation of the scarce water supply we have is critical to the sustainability of our state.

It is important to remember that water is not just required by humans. The environment also needs water to help maintain ecosystems and overall catchment health. The water supply for much of South Australia comes from the Murray River or the Mt Lofty Ranges. There is a great deal that we can do to help conserve water and lessen the stress on these water supply systems.

Student Activity Ideas

  • Compare water-use statistics (e.g. compare the amounts of water used by a normal showerhead and a low flow showerhead).
  • Brainstorm ways we can conserve water at home or at school.
  • Conduct a school water audit.
  • Research ideas about where we could get water from if our current water sources ran out.
  • List different uses for water in and around the house. How much water does each area use? List different things we can all do to conserve water.
  • Measure or estimate how much water you and your family use every day.

Enquiry Learning

  • Why is water a limited resource in South Australia?
  • What is water conservation?
  • How can we conserve water at home?
  • How can we conserve water at school?

Internet Resources

Type Description Resources Covering the Topic
Easy
  • Follow the links for a comprehensive look at saving water at home, in the garden and in business.
 Savewater.com
www.savewater.com.au/default.asp
  • Help save the Murray.
  • Information on saving water in many aspects of our lives.
 The River Murray Urban Users Committee
www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au/
save_the_murray.htm
  • Education pages with lots of information about water, including water conservation.
 ACTEWAGL
www.actewagl.com.au/education/
default.cfm
  • Conserve water.
  • Lots of activities and information regarding water conservation.
 Melbourne Water
conservewater.melbournewater.com.au
  • Lots of water information, including saving water in the garden, at home and at work.
 Yarra Valley Water
www.yvw.com.au
  • Water, waste and conservation action.
  • Brief description of how much water Australians use compared to other countries, and what we can do to minimise waste.
 City West Water
www.citywestwater.com.au
  • Tips for saving water.
 Planet Ark
www.planetark.org/
dosomethingpage.cfm?pageid=6
  • 'Waterwise in the Community' - fact sheet providing informative and well organised information on water conservation in the urban environment.
 The River Murray Urban Users Committee
www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au/pdfs/
ww%20community.pdf
  • 'Waterwise at Home' - fact sheet providing informative and well organised information on water conservation in the urban environment.
 The River Murray Urban Users Committee
www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au/pdfs/
ww%20in%20home.pdf
  • 'Waterwise Outside the Home' - fact sheet providing informative and well organised information on water conservation in the urban environment.
 The River Murray Urban Users Committee
www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au/pdfs/
ww%20outside%20home.pdf
  • 'Waterwise in the Workplace' - fact sheet providing informative and well organised information on water conservation in the urban environment.
 The River Murray Urban Users Committee
www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au/pdfs/
ww%20workplace.pdf
  • Tips for saving water.
 Gippsland Water
www.gippswater.com.au/education/
conservation.asp
  • 100 ways to save water.
 Water - Use it Wisely
www.wateruseitwisely.com/
100tips.html
More Comprehensive
  • Conduct a water audit at home or school.
 WaterCare
www.watercare.net/images/
WaterSmart_Home_Audit.pdf
  • Waterproofing Adelaide - a strategy for securing Adelaide's water supply.
 Water Proofing Adelaide
www.waterproofingadelaide.sa.gov.au/
main
  • Tips for saving Water - at home, work and in the garden.
 SA Water
www.sawater.com.au
More Complex
  • Water Recycling in Australia - comprehensive report.
 ATSE
www.atse.org.au/index.php?sectionid=597

Activities

Band Activity Contact
Primary Years
  • Play the water conservation games, including 'play the laundry game', and 'play the toilet game' among others.
 The River Murray Urban Users Committee
www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au/
save_the_murray.htm
  • Extensive resources for Primary Schools in water education, including water conservation.
 Gould League
www.gould.edu.au
  • Students home page has a range of online activities to teach about water conservation.
  • Follow the link to 'Fun Stuff' page.
 WA Water Corporation
www.watercorporation.com.au/
student/content-home-student.asp
  • Lots of water information, including an online calculation of the amount of water you use.
 Yarra Valley Water
www.yvw.com.au
  • Do a water audit at your school.
  • Download the sheets and test how water friendly your school is.
 The Murray Urban Users Committee
www.murrayusers.sa.gov.au/pdfs/
School%20Water%20Audit.pdf
  • Conserve water.
  • Lots of activities and information regarding water conservation.
 Melbourne Water
conservewater.melbournewater.com.au
  • How to calculate your water use at home.
  • Do a home water use audit on the calculator provided.
 Brisbane City Council
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/
home_garden/water_sewerage/
water_conservation/
calculate_usage.shtml
  • Gives a table that shows the average water use for different activities at home. Combine with the water audit to see how much water we use domestically.
 Brisbane City Council
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/
home_garden/water_sewerage/
water_conservation/
average_use.shtml
  • How water wise are you?
  • Comprehensive water audit online. Covers the main issues of water use around the home.
 Brisbane City Council
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/
home_garden/water_sewerage/
water_conservation/
water_survey.shtml
Middle Years
  • 'Water: Waste Not Want Not'.
  • Classroom activities to help learn about the importance of water in the environment.
  • Includes teacher notes and activities.
 Australian Bureau of Statistics
www.internal.schools.net.au/edu/water
  • 'Every Drop Counts'.
  • Extensive resources for Secondary Schools in water education, including developing plans for dealing with water issues in the school.
 Gould League
www.gould.edu.au
  • How to calculate your water use at home.
  • Do a home water use audit on the calculator provided.
 Brisbane City Council
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/
home_garden/water_sewerage/
water_conservation/
calculate_usage.shtml
  • Gives a table that shows the average water use for different activities at home. Combine with the water audit to see how much water we use domestically.
 Brisbane City Council
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/
home_garden/water_sewerage/
water_conservation/
average_use.shtml
  • How water wise are you?
  • Comprehensive water audit online. Covers the main issues of water use around the home.
 Brisbane City Council
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/
home_garden/water_sewerage/
water_conservation/
water_survey.shtml

Who Can Help?

Organisation Who Can Help?
Community Action:
Local Action Planning Committees

Catchment Water Management Boards (CWMB): River Murray
Gould League Gould League
Murray Darling Association - WaterWise WaterWise
Local Government Check your local government for information
Water Authority Check your water authority for information