Reasons for schools to install water tanks

There are many practical, financial and educational reasons why installing water tanks or rainwater tanks at schools is a very good idea, especially in South Africa.

A 10000 litre water tank for storing harvested rainwater & providing pupils with drinking water

Here are some reasons why schools in South Africa should consider installing water tanks:

• Schools inherently have large roof surface areas that are ideal for rainwater harvesting and rainwater tanks
• Many rural schools are not connected to municipal water supplies and thus rainwater tanks or water tanks filled by water tankers periodically will allow the school to maintain good sanitary conditions and for safe drinking water supplies
• Water supply cuts in many parts of South Africa can affect schools drastically – think of hundreds of pupils without drinking water – water tanks on the school property would ensure there is enough water for pupils during water supply cuts
• School rooftops could potentially collect thousands of litres of rainwater during a single rainfall event to be stored in a series of 5000 litre, 10000 litre, 15000 litre or even 20000 litre water tanks on the property. This could reduce a school’s water bills quite substantially.
• Water tanks placed on water tank stands can supply boarding facilities with enough pressure for showers.
• Water tanks in strategic positions around the school can also serve as water for fire-fighting purposes
• Rainwater tanks can also serve as water reservoirs for irrigating lawns, gardens and vegetable patches on the school premises
• Educational: pupils will be able to see how rainwater harvesting works as well as water conservation measures; this awareness will help to raise a generation that is less wasteful of water and one that is educated about rainwater harvesting which can ease the burden of municipalities trying to supply enough water to outlying areas.  Pupils may tell their families about rainwater harvesting and help to implement rainwater harvesting at their homes, making them less dependent on unreliable municipal water supplies.

South Africa is a water scarce nation and the more we can educate our children about water conservation the better.