Madam, - There is one simple solution for the water bills being sent to schools. Each school should take the bill to the smallest room in the school, consign it to where it belongs, inform the Department of Education of the action taken, and say: "Go ahead. Cut us off if you dare."
If all schools took this action as one, this nonsense we are witnessing would be solved in one flush. - Yours, etc,
BRENDAN QUINN,
Enniscrone,
Co Sligo.
Madam, - The aim of the water charging in the EU Water Framework Directive is to reduce water use. I would suggest two practical, long-term but non-political solutions that would reduce water use while sparing schools cost.
1. Produce a simple educational programme on water usage complete with lesson plans, practical exercises, student projects and a schools competition. Then offer an exemption from water charges to any school that implements the programme. This type of positive behaviour support will be far more effective in changing behaviour into the future as children will learn water-saving skills to use at school and also at home.
2. Install a rain collection system at every school. This involves burying a rain water storage tank in which the rain water from the school roof is collected. This water is filtered and by means of a simple pump can be reused for sinks, showers and toilets - that is, all uses except drinking. These systems are not very expensive and would cost about the price of one year's school water charges. A once-off grant to schools through SEI (Sustainable Energy Ireland), the Department of Education or the local authority would allow every school in the country to reduce their treated water usage and therefore their water charges, to virtually nothing. The system is also simple to install and if organised properly can be done over a weekend. In some European countries rain water storage is mandated for all new and renovated buildings. - Yours, etc,
KATHY SINNOTT MEP,
Ballinabearna,
Ballinhassig,
Co Cork.