Water is Life!
All living things, including trees, insects, animals and people need water to survive. Next to the air we breathe, water is our most important need!
Fun Facts
- Life first started in water
- People's bodies are 70% water and a tree is 75% water.
- While 75% of the earth is covered in water, only 1% of this is available for people and many animals to use. This is because 97% is salt water and 2% is frozen in glaciers.
- Water is always on the move, it goes round in a circle between the sea, the air and the ground. The journey that water takes is called the Water Cycle.
- There is the same amount of water in the world today as millions of years ago.
- It is quite possible that the water in your glass today is the same water the dinosaurs drank.
Water Conservation
Due to our growing population and changing lifestyles we use more and more water every year! While it's important for people to drink plenty of water and wash regularly, we waste a third of the water we use everyday! Did you know?
- One dripping tap can fill a paddling pool every week for a whole summer!
Water Conservation is about reducing the amount of water we waste. This is important because using less water:
- Leaves more water for the animals, plants and trees who we share it with
- Saves money and energy
- Reduces our carbon emissions
Top Water Saving Tips
- Turn the tap off when brushing your teeth and washing your hands
- Report dripping and leaking taps to a teacher
- Use a bowl to wash food and dishes
Click on our Water Saving Tips page for more information on how you can reduce water waste.
Saving Water at School
Significant water savings can be made at school. For example, in 2010 Wick High School reduced its water use by 55% from 2009, while Hilton Primary achieved a 41% reduction. See below for tips on how you can get involved and help your school to reduce its water waste!
- If you are in an eco-school ask your teacher if you can cover water as an eco topic.
- Register your school for a Scottish Water Education Pack. This pack contains lots of information and activities on water and how to reduce water waste.
- Use the worksheets in the 'current documents' section on the right hand side of the page to calculate your school's water use, find out where you can save water and also how to form an action group and develop a plan to reduce water use in your school.
- Ask your teacher if your toilets have water saving Hippo's. A Hippo is a strong polythtene bag, which sits in the toilet cistern and saves up to 3 litres every time you flush. The Highland Council provides free Hippo's to all schools. Contact the Energy and Sustainability Team on: 01463 703515.
Visit the Water School for more information on how you can save water in your school.
Water Conservation Poster Competition 2010
In September 2010, Highland Council invited school children to submit their ideas for a poster to encourage others to save water. The winner was Eoghann Gollan, aged 9, from Edderton Primary! Also among the prize winners were:
Runners Up
- Kieran Barnsby (10) Inver Primary
- Toby Alexander Ross (9) Conan Bridge Primary
- Kate Bradley (10) Acharacle Primary
- Hayley Lumb (10) Inver Primary
- Ruadhan Blyth (10) Beauly Primary
Outstanding Entry
- Heather Millar (10) Spean Bridge Primary
- Rhianna Russell (9) Inver Primary
Well done to all!
A number of the posters were combined to create the Highland Council's 'Watersmart Kids Poster', which will be used to raise awareness of water conservation in schools across Highland. The poster can be viewed in the Current Documents Section on the right of the page.
Fun Water Games
There are lots of fun water saving facts, activities and games online. Click on the links on the right hand side of the page to try a few.