Students Dive into Water Conservation as Green Schools Ambassadors

Over 50 secondary school students from six schools have completed intensive training to become Water Ambassadors, equipping them with knowledge and skills to champion water conservation in their schools and communities.

The full-day workshop, held on Friday, 31 October 2025 at Nano Nagle Place in Cork city, was delivered by Uisce Éireann in partnership with An Taisce's Green-Schools team. Students learned surprising facts about Ireland's water usage, including that each person uses 133 litres of water daily and 1.7 billion litres travels through the national water network every day.

The interactive programme covered topics ranging from river health and water treatment to the environmental impacts of fast fashion. Clean Coasts also presented their Think Before You Flush campaign, featuring a striking fatberg sculpture to illustrate the problems caused by flushing inappropriate items down toilets.

James Goulding, Water Network Operations Manager at Uisce Éireann, said:

"The Green Schools Water Ambassador Programme is a great opportunity for the students to learn more about our water supply, how water is treated, and how valuable it is. Safeguarding Ireland's water supply is a top priority for Uisce Éireann, but it is not something we can do alone. Everyone can play their part through practising simple and effective ways to conserve water."

Sabrina Moore, Green Schools Water Officer, added:

"We had interest from secondary school students across Ireland in becoming advocates for our most precious resource: water. At our recent training event in Cork, the water ambassadors delved into topics like river health, water conservation, and environmental impacts of fast fashion."

The Clean Coasts presentation focused on sewage-related litter found on Irish beaches, including wipes and cotton buds. Elaine Doyle, Clean Coasts Campaigns and Development Officer, emphasised the importance of proper disposal habits.

"Sewage related litter affects us all and must be addressed to help protect our environment and wastewater network. Remember, only flush the 3 Ps: pee, poo, and paper. Everything else goes in the bin," she said.

Students from Cashel Community School in Tipperary and Coláiste an Phiarsaigh in Glanmire were among those attending the workshop. The newly trained Water Ambassadors will now return to their schools to share their expertise and encourage conservation efforts among their peers.

The Green Schools Water Ambassador Programme aims to increase awareness of water's vital role in daily life through grassroots engagement with both primary and secondary school students across Ireland.