Water Pathway - Sample Action Plan
- Interpret data from the water audit.
- Evaluate needs arising from the audit data.
- Provide realistic solutions to these needs.
- Cooperate effectively as a group.
- English, Science, Geography, Citizenship
Eco-Schools USA Pathways
- Water, Sustainable School Grounds, Energy
Sample Water Action Plan
- Before completing your action plan, you should carry out a water audit.
Creating the Action plan
To tackle your water usage, start with the baseline calculated for your building after meeting federal water use guidelines (PDF, 128 Kb). Then strive to use 20 percent less than that amount.
1. Water audit review
- Using the data from your audit, identify the places where water is not being used efficiently.
2. Group brainstorming
- In small groups, brainstorm solutions to these water issues. Groups can be assigned specific issues to address. Alternatively, all groups can be assigned the same prominent issues to achieve a greater variety of interesting solutions.
- As a team, discuss and agree on the most effective solutions.
- Compile these solutions into a final action plan. See sample water action plan (PDF, 13 Kb), and access a blank action plan (Word document, 32 Kb).
- Assign tasks to appropriate individuals within the team and across the school. Agree on realistic time frames in which tasks should be completed.
3. Execution of tasks
- Set aside time for students to carry out the activities they have assigned themselves and to notify other staff and students of the responsibilities assigned to them.
- Provide training to staff and students on implementing the water conservation campaign.
- Set up the school for success. For example, place stickers or signs near faucets to remind students and teachers to use water wisely.
- Set a review date to revisit your action plan as a group. Analyze how far you have come and identify what else you can do.
- Schedule a follow-up water audit after a few months to measure the effectiveness of your program.
- Calculate the costs incurred and savings related to the changes put in place.
- Add a section on water conservation to your school's website.
- In regular assemblies, share results, achievements and development plans for the future.
- Prepare a school notice board showing graphs of results and achievements.
- Involve the local press and radio to let everyone know about the school's water conservation campaign.
- Team up with another school in the area to share ideas.
- Have students develop a database with the help of spreadsheet software to record information, draw graphs and analyze the data.