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Water consumption and water conservation are significant issues in Australia. In contrast with many schools across Australia that are already engaged in water education and water conservation programs, the early childhood education sector has been slow to respond to this challenge.

The study comprised two parts; the first part was a statistical analysis to investigate reductions in water usage in the seventeen centres engaged in the program and the second was a qualitative analysis exploring the ‘quadruple bottom line’ benefits (social, environmental, educational and economic) that stemmed from engagement in Rous Water’s Water Aware Centre Program.

Statistical analysis results were inconclusive. From the data available it was not possible to show measurable reductions in water consumption across all centres, as there were too many variables that prevented a valid calculation of reductions. The qualitative findings were compelling in determining the impact of the program, which provide the primary focus for this report.

The qualitative results showed important ‘quadruple bottom line’ benefits that arose from participation in the program. These included but were not limited to:

- Child leadership and advocacy for water conservation (social benefits);

- Uptake by teaching staff of sustainability education pedagogies (educational benefits);

- Improved water conservation and other resource management practices (environmental benefits);

- More efficient use of water resources (economic benefits).

Correlations between awareness and action, and action and consequence were noteworthy in these results, with positive changes to practices, intentions and ideals at centre level transferring to home and community contexts. Numerous centres made physical changes to their water infrastructure such as large scale redevelopments of centre grounds, while others made substantive efforts to purchase and install water-saving devices. One surprising element of the results was the extent to which children influenced the adults around them in relation to water conservation practices. Both teachers and parents were compelled to make changes to their own water use habits because of the children’s advocacy for water-conserving alternatives, a direct consequence of what they had learned in the Water Aware Centre Program.

The results reveal that even a relatively small-scale sustainability education program can provide considerable social, environmental, educational and economic benefits. To date, the early childhood education sector has been an ‘untapped’ resource in addressing sustainability issues of water use and water conservation. This study demonstrates clearly the potential of sustainability education investments in early years’ education.

ROUS Water (2008). The Impact and Potential of Water Education in Early Childhood Care and Education Settings.

In this article, several studies which were commissioned to assess the effectiveness of campaigns after their implementation are discussed. In order to be more effective, the article also discusses the role of construction and planning of water conservation campaigns. The role of ongoing evaluation when developing public information programs as demand management tools is also pointed out.

For the purposes of this article, public information campaign evaluations are defined as having an identifiable component of information or persuasion. Other policy evaluations pertaining solely to legislation for water-efficient appliances or introduction of pricing policies have been omitted, although technology and price included in water conservation “packages” have been discussed as appropriate. It is acknowledged, however, that the implementation of any new demand strategy imparts new information to the consumer as a matter of course.

Syme, G., Nancarrow, B. and Seligman, C. (2000). The Evaluation of Information Campaigns to Promote Voluntary Household Water Conservation. Evaluation Review, 24(6), pp.539-578.

Slovakia has sufficient water resources for all kinds of uses. However, these water resources are not evenly distributed and in recent years problems of supply (both drinking water and water for commercial use) have arisen in some parts of Slovakia due to inefficient water use. In particular, freshwater, especially drinking water is often wasted.

Efficient water management must take into account floods and droughts, the role of water in the biosphere, human impacts on water quantity and quality, prevention of pollution and protection of water resources and water systems – water works, water for agriculture, water for inhabitants and industry, wastewater treatment and the discharge of water. Last but not least, climate change might also be having an impact. Even though areas with temporary shortage of water are found only in certain parts of Slovakia, actions to address the prevention of water shortage should be carried out throughout the country. 

The main objective of the WATLIFE project was to change common attitudes and inefficient water use practices that are causing shortages and pollution in Slovakia. This change would be achieved through increased awareness of the importance of water and its sustainable use among the general public and among stakeholders, in compliance with the Water Framework Directive. The project would operate alongside communication campaigns undertaken by the Commission and the Slovak government.

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/life/project/Projects/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.dspPage&n_proj_id=3503&docType=pdf