How can we save water?
Quick answer from Eartha
We can save water by taking shorter showers, turning off the tap while we brush our teeth, and fixing dripping taps. Every drop we save stays in our rivers and dams for animals, plants and people. Small changes really add up!
The longer story
Fresh water is precious, especially in Australia, where many places have dry seasons or droughts. Saving water means there's more left for rivers, farms, animals and our own homes.
Simple things make a big difference. Turning off the tap while brushing your teeth can save litres of water every single day. Taking a shorter shower, maybe timing it with a favourite song, helps too.
A dripping tap might seem small, but it can waste thousands of litres a year if it's not fixed. Telling a grown-up about a leaky tap is a great way to help.
Using a watering can on the garden instead of a hose, and only running the washing machine with a full load, are other easy habits. Every bit of water we save helps our rivers and wetlands stay healthy for the animals that live there.
Try this at home: Tap-off challenge
- Time how long you usually leave the tap running while brushing your teeth.
- Try brushing with the tap off, only turning it on to rinse.
- Talk about how much water you think you saved.
Words to know
- Drought
- A long time with very little rain.
- Conserve
- To use less of something so it lasts longer.
For grown-ups: what is my child learning here?
Age band: 5-8
Curriculum link: Australian Curriculum v9 HASS, AC9HS4K01
The concept: Water is a limited resource that needs to be used carefully, especially in dry Australian conditions.
More classroom ideas are on our teachers page, and safety notes for families are on for parents.
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