Small steps at home

PUNE: Conserving water calls for everyone to do their bit and city schools are taking several steps to save the precious resource and inspire students to do the same.As the prospect of yearlong water cuts looms over the city, schools have initiated measures such as repairing leaking taps and pipes on campuses, collecting leftover water from students' water bottles in a tank to water plants and trees, and reducing water pressure in taps.Experts recommend that lessons on recycling and reusing water must be incorporated in school textbooks so that water conservation becomes a habit for the younger generation.City Pride School is one of the schools that have taken up innovative conservation measures. Principal Ashwini Kulkarni says, "We have installed a water tank on our school premises. Before going home every day, students pour leftover drinking water from the bottles they carry to school. We use this to water plants and trees or for other non-drinking purposes."Usually, most students throw away the water left in the bottles once they get home.Students of New India School in Bhusari Colony, too, empty their water bottles into a tub placed on the school premises at the end of the day. Principal Sunita Bhagwat says that the water thus collected is used to clean floors of the classrooms, staircases and other spaces in the building. "We also water the plants on the premises with this water. Besides, we have decided to clean the school vehicles only once a week instead of alternate days. We have also decided to wipe these vehicles instead of washing them so that less water is used."Some schools in the city have reduced water pressure in the taps in washrooms and common taps. Meera Landge, principal of Abhinav Primary School, says, "Students are still learning about water conservation and some of them wash hands and just leave the water running. Hence, we decided to reduce the water pressure. Besides, we have also started awareness sessions in the school to inform students about various ways to conserve water in school and at home."Vimlabai Garware Prashala Co-ed School is not only making its students aware of the need to save water, but is also spreading the message outside its premises. Principal Savita Kajarekar says, "Availability of water has become a serious issue. We have prepared placards with slogans and tips to conserve water at home. Each student will visit five homes near their residence and explain the need to conserve the resource and the solutions." The school is also screening multimedia films that show ways to save, reuse and recycle water.Several schools are making students aware of their responsibility to save the precious resource.Madhavi Bhadgaonkar, principal, SPM (Primary) English Medium School, said, "At assembly sessions and in classrooms, students are given tips on saving water. For instance, we tell children that if they see a leaking tap on the school premises or even outside, they must turn it off immediately. Other tips such as avoiding use of shower for bathing and restricting the volume of water used are also given to students."# Turn the tap off when not in use, especially while brushing teeth or washing clothes# Fix that leaky faucet, it's simple and inexpensive. Also, check for leakages in toilets and concealed pipes# Shorten your shower by a minute or two# # Clean vegetables and fruits efficiently. Use a vegetable brush and short water bursts with a hand sprayer