Water in schools
It is recognised that as well as having access to fresh drinking water in the dining hall, pupils and staff should be able to get water throughout the school day to help them keep hydrated, alert and ready to learn.
There are various ways to help encourage more water drinking:
- issue sports-style water bottles to all pupils
- encourage pupils to fill them at home to bring to school
- raise parents' awareness of keeping the bottles clean and full
- provide and maintain water fountains or coolers in school
- ensure provision of water after physical education or sport.
Scottish Water is running a campaign to promote the benefits of drinking tap water: 'Scottish Water on Tap'. It has useful information and advice on the following:
- health benefits of drinking water
- how much you should drink
- tips for drinking more water
- facts about dehydration
- fascinating facts about water.
The campaign has a lot of materials and posters to promote drinking more water and these can be requested from Scottish Water via the 'Scottish Water on Tap' page of the website or by calling 0845 601 8855.
It is supported by classroom activities that are available to download free from the education section of the Scottish Water website.
It also has interactive games and quizzes about the water cycle, water and sewage treatment, water safety, pollution and water uses, which can be used to support water projects.
Useful links
Word file: Water at Work and School (39.5KB)
Water at Work and School is a report on a pilot project to introduce drinking water to Obsdale Primary School in Highland.
Scottish Water
The Scottish Water website has information and news about water provision in Scotland.
Scottish Water education pages
The Education pages of the Scottish Water website contain information about the Water for Life tour, presentations to schools, a CD-Rom of resources and online interactive games.
Water is Cool in School
The Water is Cool in School website is a campaign to provide fresh drinking water for all pupils in school. Find information on why drinking water is important and get posters, stickers and other campaign items for your school.
