Overview
When students understand where water comes from and the processes involved in getting water to the school, they will better understand how precious it is and how best to use it.
Water efficiency helps schools to:
- reduce water and energy costs
- provide learning opportunities for young leaders
- build a stronger school culture based on good communication and shared goals
- raise the schools profile in the community
- contribute to a better environment through water efficiency.
The water module assists schools to reduce water use and save on bills. Schools can improve water use on school grounds and through partnering with their community on river health, waterway protection and coastal care projects.
If signing up and committing to the ResourceSmart Schools program it is recommended to start and complete the core module first then proceed with other modules in any order or the same time.
If not signing up to the program, schools can utilise the Water resources to become more sustainable.
Key areas
Workplace/operational
Save water by assessing the way water is used in the school through audits, creating a water plan, managing water usage in your grounds and school yard, retrofitting and new technology as well as maintenance.
Learning and teaching
Explore curriculum activities that engage students in learning to be more sustainable users of water.
Whole school community engagement
Embed sustainability and being water smart into the life of the school and wider community.
Module completion
Complete 6 compulsory actions and a minimum of 22 of the 33 recommended actions to meet certification requirements.
Resources
| Resource | Description | Date |
|---|---|---|
| ResourceSmart water module checklist (DOCX, 132.1 KB) | A list of all actions to help each school through the ResourceSmart Schools program water module. | 18 July 2022 |
| Quick guide water module (DOCX, 93.7 KB) Quick guide water module (PDF, 119.1 KB) | This guide helps a school to work through the water module. | 15 March 2023 |
| ResourceSmart Schools water conservation annual action plan (DOCX, 97.1 KB) | Use this yearly action plan template to reflect the activities your school would like to undertake to improve water conservation. | 1 August 2022 |
| Water infrastructure audit template (DOCX, 113.3 KB) | This audit template helps schools understand their water infrastructure. | 15 March 2023 |
| ResourceSmart Schools water module audit tool (PDF, 2.6 MB) ResourceSmart Schools water module audit tool (DOCX, 522.7 KB) | Tools to assist schools to undertake their annual water audit. | 26 November 2020 |
| Water maintenance procedure template (DOCX, 115.6 KB) | This template helps schools to manage maintenance of water using appliances and infrastructure. | 15 March 2023 |
| Green events policy template (DOCX, 108.4 KB) | This policy template helps schools articulate their approach to holding sustainable and environmentally friendly events. | 15 March 2023 |
| ResourceSmart schools curriculum links: Level F to 6 (PDF, 14.2 MB) | Helping schools to build sustainability into their curriculum in all subject areas from foundation to grade 6. | 18 July 2019 |
Additional Water resources
- Water – learn it. live it. – Water – learn it. live it. is a water education initiative for both primary and secondary schools operating within metropolitan Melbourne and is also available through regional areas of Victoria.
- Melbourne Water – Resources to educate primary, secondary and tertiary students and the community. Visitors to ‘Melbourne’s Water Story’ will journey through the city’s settlement and end with a look to the future. Explore events with videos, web-links and current data. The website also includes curriculum linked Teacher Resources with individual classroom activities, lesson plans and excursion kits for about waterway health, sewage treatment and stormwater management.
- Waterwatch Victoria – For more than 23 years, the Victorian Waterwatch Program has been connecting local communities with waterway health and sustainable water management issues. Through the Waterwatch Program, citizen scientists are supported and encouraged to become actively involved in local waterway monitoring and onground activities. Waterwatch Victoria has developed a range of resources to support teachers and students.
Contact us
ResourceSmart Schools Education Team
Sustainability Victoria
1300 363 744
schools@sustainability.vic.gov.au
Page last updated: 24/09/26