Top of the class: milestone for Waterwise Schools Program

Back to school to share the Waterwise message: Victoria Park Primary School students with Victoria Park MLA Hannah Beazley and Water Minister Simone McGurk

• One in seven Perth students participated in waterwise education in 2022-23
• Waterwise Schools Program on track to reach 50,000 students annually by 2030
• Plans underway to expand program to regional areas
• More than 80 per cent of households likely to make waterwise changes after student participation in the program

One of WA’s longest running and most successful school education initiatives – the Waterwise Schools Program - has celebrated a major milestone after reaching a record number of students in the last financial year. 

Nearly 42,350, or one in seven, Perth school children participated in the free Water Corporation program in 2022-23 – more than double the number reached in 2019-20. 

The record year included visits by Water Corporation’s education team to 212 Perth schools, with plans now underway to make the award-winning program available in regional areas.  

Beginning in 1995, the Waterwise Schools Program is responsible for teaching a generation of students about water conservation and engraining lifelong waterwise behaviours.  

It encompasses four unique, age-appropriate incursions focussing on WA’s water cycle, sustainability and water in Aboriginal culture. 

They complement the Humanities and Social Sciences, STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) curriculums and, with the introduction of the Water in Aboriginal Culture experience, address two cross-curriculum priorities set by the Cook Government. 

More than half of parents whose children participated in the program said their child had shared waterwise messages at home, while 82 per cent said their family was likely to make water-saving changes in the next six months.

The Waterwise Schools Program is part of the Cook Government’s Kep Katitjin-Gabi Kaadadjan (Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2) which aims to establish Boorloo (Perth) and Bindjareb (Peel) as leading waterwise cities by 2030.

Under the plan, Water Corporation aims to expand the Waterwise Schools Program to reach 50,000 students a year from 2030. 

To find out more and learn how your school can be involved, visit watercorporation.com.au/School-programs.

Comments attributed to Water Minister Simone McGurk:

“Generations of children have participated in the Waterwise Schools Program over the past thirty years, and it’s fantastic to see Water Corporation reaching more students than ever before.

“With climate change continuing to impact WA’s water sources, it’s never been more important to equip young people with the skills and knowledge to use water wisely.

“This is by far the largest program of its kind in Australia and the feedback from teachers, parents and students is overwhelmingly positive. 

“Importantly, Water Corporation is working to deliver the program in regional WA to compliment the array of online waterwise resources available to teachers State-wide. 

“I encourage teachers to book an incursion for their students so together we can help educate the next generation of water sustainability champions.”

Media contact: Tegan Sapwell  6552 6600 or 0448 502 065