School pupils learn importance of being waterwise

04th June 2015

PUPILS at a Dorset school heard about the importance of being waterwise in a special interactive session.

Life Education Wessex (LEW) visited Christchurch Infant School on behalf of Bournemouth Water which supplies drinking water to approximately half a million people.

Four separate 45-minute sessions were held with LEW educator Donna Hill highlighting the importance of treating water as a precious resource.

The children also learned about the water cycle as well as the ways water is collected and cleaned and how it is delivered to homes and businesses.

A glove puppet called Otto the Otter played a starring role, personalising the message that if too much water is taken out of local rivers then Otto and his friends will have nowhere to live. 

Bob Taylor, Managing Director of Bournemouth Water, said the sessions aimed to show tomorrow's adults how to be water efficient.

He added: "Getting children to understand that water is a valuable resource is very rewarding. Parents have told us that their children take what they’ve learnt home, and this can influence the family’s attitude towards water.”

Bournemouth Water has been successfully visiting primary schools since 2010 with its Waterwise education programme.

Designed for children aged five to 11 years studying at Key Stages 1 and 2, the programme is available to schools free of charge across the company’s area of supply.

Life Education Wessex has now been chosen as Bournemouth Water's education partner.

The charity, which has longstanding links with Bournemouth Water, will deliver the interactive presentations at schools on behalf of the company.

"Life Education Wessex has vast experience of delivering specific subject-related presentations to schools. The charity is an ideal fit for this new role," added Mr Taylor.