Water

Water is essential to life. We use it for drinking, washing, farming, manufacturing, and more. But clean, fresh water is limited and under threat.

Why Water Matters

• Only 2% of the world’s water is fresh water.

• Pollution from sewage and chemicals is making clean water harder to access.

• Demand is rising, but the natural water cycle can’t keep up.

Water Use & Waste

• A shower saves enough water each week to make 1,000 cups of tea.

• A garden sprinkler uses as much water in 30 mins as a family of four does in a whole day.

• Water itself is free—but we pay for cleaning, treating, and delivering it. The more we waste or pollute it, the more expensive it becomes.

Water in Schools

• Schools in the UK spend around £106 million annually on water.

• A large post-primary school can spend up to £20,000 a year.

• Careful water management can cut water use by two-thirds, saving up to £5,000 per year.

Learning About Water Justice

Explore the global impact of water issues with resources from Trócaire:

• Madzi Water Justice Game: Experience life in Malawi and how climate change affects water supply—droughts, floods, and food shortages. Download the teacher guide here.

• Water Justice Tree: Interactive digital platform with videos, animations, and activities exploring water, climate change, and social justice.

Take Action

• Add water reduction goals to your Eco-Schools Action Plan.

• Explore Case Studies for inspiration.

• Visit the Partners section to find organisations that can help your school reduce water use.