Water conservation
Level Three of the King County Green Schools Program covers water conservation. Use our best practices and resources to engage students and staff in taking steps to reduce water use in your school, district, and community.
Schools use water for drinking, cooking, and cleaning, for classroom instruction such as in science labs, and for irrigating school gardens and grounds. Through education and action, schools can reduce our region's water use and protect this precious natural resource.
Best practices guide
Download the Water Conservation and Pollution Prevention Best Practices Guide for schools
Recognition
Schools and school districts are recognized after they complete Level Three criteria, which includes maintaining Level One waste reduction and recycling practices. If desired, your school may work toward and receive Level Three - Water Conservation recognition before Level Two - Energy Conservation.
School Recognition
Use the best practices guide for a list of recognition requirements for Level Three. Fill out this school recognition form* once your school meets the criteria.
*You can complete the form in multiple sessions by selecting the "Save" button on the bottom right. You'll receive a link in your email to continue filling out the form. Once the form is complete, select the "Submit" button.
School District Recognition
Download and fill out this Level Three Recognition Criteria for School Districts
Level Three tools
Download and print these water conservation tools:
- Water conservation announcements
- Water conservation facts
- Pledge to Conserve Water and Reduce Water Pollution
- Fact vs Fiction – water conservation and pollution prevention PowerPoint presentation
Signs
Download and print these signs. Participating schools may request color copies by emailing: GreenSchools@cplusc.com.
Sign: "Turn off the faucet":
Water flow bags
Staff and students can use the water flow bags to find out if water faucets need to be modified to reduce water flow to conserve water. Participating schools can request water flow bags from their King County representative or by emailing GreenSchools@kingcounty.gov.
Resources from other organizations
Cascade Water Alliance
The Cascade Water Alliance is an association of water districts and cities providing these services to schools in its service area: water conservation recommendations, irrigation audits and rebates, faucet aerators, rain barrels and rain cisterns, and classroom workshops. Service area: Bellevue, Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish, Skyway, and Tukwila.
Visit the Cascade Water Alliance website or contact Michael Brent, Water Resources Manager, at 425-453-1810 or mbrent@cascadewater.org
Saving Water Partnership
Partnership of water utilities providing these services to schools in its service area: water conservation trainings, audits and rebates. Partners: Cedar River Water and Sewer District; City of Bothell; City of Duvall; City of Mercer Island; City of Renton; Coal Creek Utility District; Highline Water District; Northshore Utility District; Northshore Water District; Olympic View Water & Sewer District; Seattle Public Utilities; Soos Creek Water and Sewer District; Water District 20 (Burien); Water District 45 (Seattle); Water District 49 (Burien); Water District 90 (Renton); Water District 119 (Duvall); Water District 125 (Seattle); and Woodinville Water District.
Visit the Saving water Partnership website or contact Mark Guthrie at 206-684-5955 for irrigation and landscaping; Natasha Bailey at 206-733-9137 for indoor water conservation.
King County Wastewater Treatment Division
- Rain cistern vendors and info
- K-12 education programs about wastewater and storm water
- Stormwater Runoff Education Resource Guide - Secondary
- Wastewater educational programs
Eco-Schools
Visit Eco-School's website for tips about water conservation and case studies of schoolyard water systems
National Wildlife Federation
Visit National Wildlife Federation's website for educational resources on nature and wildlife.
Water calculators
Use this Water Footprint Calculator to calculate and understand your water footprint. Or estimate your household's water use with this water calculator by the Alliance for Water Efficiency.