Llanberis children become water experts
Llanberis children become water experts thanks to Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water
Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water visits Ysgol Dolbadarn to educate children about the links between the water they use and their local environment
Visit to school delivered in partnership with Snowdonia Active through the Loving our Lake project
Pupils got to take part in numerous activities including designing their own water networks
Pupils from Ysgol Dolbadarn in Llanberis recently spent a day learning about their local water and wastewater network as part of a Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water education visit to their school.
The not-for-profit company is working in partnership with Snowdonia Active, to deliver Loving our Lake – a 12 month programme of activities to investigate what local residents and businesses can do to help improve the water quality of Llyn Padarn. The team organised a day of activities which saw the pupils take part in games and activities, helping them to understand the water cycle and the work that Welsh Water does. This included learning about how water is supplied to their homes and how wastewater is treated and safely returned to the environment.
As part of the lesson, the pupils also found out about the investment work the company is carrying out to improve the treatment process at Llanberis Wastewater Treatment Works. The work involves installing new treatment processes which will further improve the quality of the water that is returned to Llyn Padarn.
Caryn Lyth, Welsh Water’s seconded teacher, said, “It was great to visit Ysgol Dolbadarn and speak to the children about the water cycle. It allowed them to see firsthand the work that goes into treating drinking water and safely dealing with wastewater.
“One of the activities was the network challenge which involved getting the children to think like engineers and carefully plan where to place new pipes around a town. This was useful in making them realise the importance of the work we’re carrying out in their area. It’s easy to forget how lucky we are to have safe, clean water running through our taps.”
Emma Edwards-Jones from Snowdonia Active added, “Loving our Lake is all about the local community making small changes to their lifestyles, which will assist Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water in protecting Llyn Padarn. We were delighted to team up with Welsh Water and visit the local school to talk to pupils. We all have a role to play in ensuring we protect the quality of the water in the lake and working with the pupils was an opportunity to explain how they can play a role too.”
Welsh Water’s Environmental Education service provides year round activities free of charge. All lessons fully integrate the new skills curriculum through a ‘hands on’ practical approach to thinking and learning. The team currently provides lessons to around 14,000 pupils a year across Wales.
Welsh Water is investing heavily and working hard to ensure top quality services to all the communities it serves. The company is investing £1.5 billion in its water and sewerage network between 2010 and 2015.
It is a ‘not-for-profit company’ which has been owned by Glas Cymru since 2001. Welsh Water does not have shareholders, and any financial surpluses are reinvested in the business for the benefit of customers.
Snowdonia Active are a social enterprise established in 2001, working to support and develop the outdoor sector and sustainable tourism in North Wales.
