One way to cut water bills — plug the leaks

AS principal of a large city school, I have been concerned for many years about water charges.

Being environmentally conscious, I am all in favour of water conservation. In recent years, with the support of other members of our school community, I have done everything possible to eliminate water wastage. Like most school personnel, however, my knowledge of plumbing and engineering has its limits.

It would be unfair to impose penal charges on schools in the absence of adequate technical support and advice being provided. Much of the water wastage in schools is as a result of leaks which have not been detected.

In 2002/’03, a very successful radon gas survey was carried out in all schools. The survey and all necessary follow-up works were carried out by trained professionals independently of the schools. A similar survey was conducted to assess asbestos levels in schools. If the Government wishes to address the current difficulty of water charges, then a nationwide survey of all schools should be undertaken to investigate for leaks and to advise schools on how best to conserve water.

When leaks were identified and repaired, timer switches and reduced flush toilets, for example, could be fitted to avoid further wastage.

While there would be an initial cost involved for the Government, it would be a far more cost-effective way of addressing the issue in the longer term and it would also be far kinder to the environment.

Michael Daly

Principal

Glasheen Boys’ School

School Ave

Glasheen

Cork