More than 1,800 children from 44 kindergartens across the region have been learning how to become a water hero thanks to education about water-saving behaviours and the importance of drinking tap water.
Coliban Water Executive General Manager Strategy and Governance Roslyn Wai said 74 ‘water hero’ incursions had been delivered during 2019 to teach age-appropriate attitudes to water conservation, the water cycle and good oral hygiene.
“It’s really exciting to see our future generation take on board messages about water efficiency and the importance of water, which we hope will develop into life-long attitudes as they grow. It might be something as simple as remembering to turn off the tap when you brush your teeth, taking a four-minute shower or reusing unneeded water from the kitchen on the garden.
“Kids can become a water hero by trying out this behaviour at kinder, home and speaking to their family about why it’s important to save water,” Ms Wai said.
Coliban Water has also continued to build its partnerships with Smiles 4 Miles coordinators across the region. Smiles 4 Miles promotes improved oral health by encouraging children to drink, eat and brush well. It’s hoped this will provide the best chance of maintaining good oral health into adulthood.
“The program has recently concluded for 2019 and has seen water bottles and teaching resources provided to children in six local government areas in our region. That’s double the number of local government areas we reached in 2018,” Ms Wai said.
This includes City of Greater Bendigo, Campaspe Shire, Loddon Shire, Macedon Ranges Shire, Mount Alexander Shire and Central Goldfields Shire.
Strathfieldsaye Kindergarten Teacher Sophie Hay said the kinder had appreciated the visit, with the children showing a lot of interest in how to use and save water.
“We were impressed with the session. The use of props and hands-on activities were presented at a level which they could understand, which was great.
“We’re in full support of teaching kids how to stay healthy and the importance of drinking water. We encourage the children to be water heroes in our kinder setting and regularly discuss ways we can save and reuse water.”
Ms Wai said drinking tap water also represents value for money.
“One litre of bottled water can cost $3, but for the same cost you can refill a one litre bottle from the tap, every day, for more than two and half years.
“Tap water is also more environmentally friendly than bottled water with more than 50 per cent of plastic bottles ending up as landfill or litter,” Ms Wai said.
For further information on our education programs and Choose Tap initiatives see our website www.coliban.com.au.
Last updated on 06 Sep 2019