GEF

Unit 5  |  Toward Sustainable Water Systems 139 Seattle’s water conservation outreach connects climate change and fresh water scarcity, effectively combining messages on these two important issues. Other utilities market rebate pro- grams for upgrading old appliances, emphasizing monetary savings that can be gained through water conservation. Sustainability advocates are only beginning to explore these promising approaches to water conservation. Education programs create connections between students and the water systems around them. As part of their educational mission, schools are integrating water conservation lessons into the classroom. An inspiring example of this approach comes from a middle school science class in Scottsdale, Arizona. Children in this class conducted a water audit comparing current water use in the school with the expected water use if the school installed new low-flow faucet aerators on all sinks. In addition to demonstrating dramatic water savings with the new aerators, the students learned how to carry out impor- tant mathematical conversions, such as between milliliters per second and gallons per year. Equipped with convincing FAUCET AERATOR A device installed on a faucet head to introduce air into running water.