Lorne P-12 brings up the ton for school water savings program

Barwon Water has celebrated a major milestone in an impactful program that is helping schools to save significant amounts of water and money.

Lorne P-12 College was the 100th school to join the Victorian Government’s Schools Water Efficiency Program (SWEP) in the Barwon region.

To mark the occasion, Barwon Water held an incursion at the College today, with grade 4-6 students learning further tips on sustainable water use for both school and home.

The event was one of several activities held during National Water Week, which ran from October 21-27, with a theme of ‘Accelerating Action’.

The SWEP initiative enables schools to track their water usage via data-loggers and an online monitoring dashboard.

Since 2012, participating schools in the region have together saved 1.14 billion litres of drinking water, and $3.7 million in water and wastewater charges.

General Manager Customers, Community and Strategy Laura Kendall said the program had a range of benefits.

“We do find water leaks in schools from time to time, resulting in high water losses and unnecessarily high bills.

“Through SWEP, schools can monitor their water usage and detect leaks before it costs them valuable water and money.

“The program also provides great maths, science and environmental study opportunities, using real-world examples that children can relate to and understand.”

Lorne P-12 College Principal Carly Stafford said water efficiency was crucial for both the sustainability of the school and the broader Lorne community.

“By teaching students the importance of conserving water, we're fostering responsible habits that will benefit both our local environment and future generations,” Ms Stafford said.

“It’s essential that we lead by example in using our resources wisely, and SWEP gives us the tools to do just that.”

To date, there are now 107 schools taking part in the program, which is provided by the Victorian Government and Barwon Water for free.

More information on SWEP can be found at www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/community-and-education/teachers-and-students/swep

The savings made via the program contribute to Barwon Water’s wider Sustainable Water Use Plan 2023-2028 (SWUP), which has a target of saving one billion litres by June 2028.

Since July 2023, more than 260 million litres of ongoing annual water savings have been made.

As part of National Water Week, Barwon Water also hosted public tours at Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant on 27 October.

Interested school or community groups can organise their own excursions via www.barwonwater.vic.gov.au/community-and-education

Barwon Water also oversaw the annual National Water Week Poster Competition, with the colourful entries on display in Little Malop St, Geelong.

Barwon Water General Manager Customers, Community and Strategy Laura Kendall and Sustainable Water Team Leader Jacinta Burke (front) with Barwon Water mascot ‘Drop’, Lorne P-12 College students Dasha, Hazel, Sol and Banjo; Principal Carly Stafford and Barwon Water Customer Services Officer (Lorne) Yvonne Murnane.