Introduction to teachers
Welcome to Welsh Water's education resource site. The aim of the site is to provide an introduction to Welsh Water and our role in the water cycle in a fun and interactive way. We regularly develop new teaching resources.
Register your school here to download our new Water Efficiency pack. For Key stage 3 and 4 pupils our Water in Wales booklet can be downloaded here. For students studying applied science there DVDs which accompany the booklet, these can be ordered by contacting us with your request.
Sections in this page
Investigating water
Information on where water comes from, how it's treated, and how we return it to our rivers and sea.
Water cycle
The Water Cycle is essential for the survival of the planet. Water on our planet is constantly moving, the water cycle is nature’s way of cleaning and recycling water. It is a popular and interesting topic that has cross-curricular appeal with elements of both Science and Geography. In this section there are activities that will help the children learn about and understand the features of the water cycle.
For further activities and resources about the water cycle click here
Worksheets
Clean water
Water is the most abundant molecule on Earth’s surface, constituting about 70% of the planet’s surface. In nature it exists in liquid, solid, and gaseous states. At room temperature, it is a colourless, tasteless, and odourless liquid; is also the only common substance found naturally in all three common states of matter. Many substances dissolve in water and it is commonly referred to as the universal solvent. Because of this, water in nature and in use is rarely pure. Part of Welsh Water’s job is to ensure all drinking water is treated to the highest quality; 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Visit our water treatment works at Alwen Environmental Education Centre, FREE of CHARGE.
For further activities and resources about clean water click here
Worksheets
Dirty water
The sewer network in Wales is over 19,000kms long and carries waste water to one of our 833 wastewater treatment sites. Wastewater treatment works remove grit and heavy particles that may cause harm to the natural environment when it is returned to the river. Why not visit our wastewater treatment works at
Cog Moors or Cilfynydd Environmental Education Centre FREE of CHARGE and see the process first hand.
For further activities and resources about dirty water click here
Investigating the environment
Rivers, lakes and ponds are an important source of fresh water for humans, animals and plants. Welsh Water works very hard to conserve our watery habitats and ensures that the environment is not harmed when we abstract water or return treated wastewater to rivers.
Rivers
Rivers and the surrounding land drained by them (catchments) are very important wildlife habitats. The water itself provides tt gonflies along with a wide variety of water-loving plants. Pollution is the great danger, which can destroy the balance of this environment and we do everything we can to make sure that the effluent we return to rivers is safe. On these pages you will find a variety of different activities and games to support your teaching of river features and rivers as a habitat.
For further activities and resources about rivers click here
Worksheets
Ponds
Over half of the ponds in Britain have been completely destroyed in the last 100 years. Your local pond may contain examples of almost every major group of animals on earth. Water is essential for all life and the addition of a pond to a garden will attract all sorts of wildlife. As well as providing a much-needed habitat for Britain's increasingly rare pond-life, the water in a shallow-edged pond will be appreciated by bird and mammal visitors to the garden.
For further activities and resources about ponds click here
Worksheets
Caring for water
There is no new water in the world. We are drinking the same water as the dinosaurs, and it’s not just tap water that Welsh Water looks after but also the water along our coasts.
Although there is a generous supply of rain in Wales, the demand for water from customers increases every year. This requires careful management of resources at every stage if the company is to ensure a high quality and constant supply of fresh, clean water.
Using water wisely is one of the everyday activities we can all do to look after this precious resource.
Saving water
Water is in increasingly short supply in many regions of the world including Europe. In recent years domestic consumption of water has increased dramatically and as living standards rise and more people buy washing machines, dishwashers, hot tubs and even swimming pools, so the demand for water increases. The average household now uses 420 litres of water every single day!
It is essential that we make the most of the water we have and not waste it. The message from Welsh Water is ‘use as much water as you need but please don’t waste it’. Together we can conserve this precious resource at home and at school for future generations.
For further activities and resources about saving water click here
Worksheets
Compare our water use with an Ugandan family
Down the drain
The sewerage network in Wales comprises over 19 000km of pipe. These pipes carry the waste water away from our houses to one of our 833 waste water treatment works where the water is cleaned and returned to the environment. The domestic sewer pipe is 10 cm in diameter and it can easily be blocked if people don’t think about what they put down the drain. Fat, oil and grease from our kitchen sinks will block the pipes as it solidifies in the cold water. These blockages will slow the flow and when we have heavy rainfall this could lead to flooding. The fat oil and grease in the sewers will often have to be removed manually.
More and more items are being sold as ‘flushable’. This means they will probably negotiate the u bend in a toilet and can be successfully flushed. There is a difference between what can be and what should be flushed. Toilet paper will disintegrate when flushed and won’t cause a blockage but other items such as wet wipes, nappies and sanitary products can cause problems.
Welsh Water’s ‘Dirty Dozen’ campaign highlights the problems of flushing certain items down the toilets and with the help of our sheriff will leave people in no doubt about what we don’t want in our sewers.
For further activities and resources about down the drain click here
Thinking about water
Climate change
Welsh Water is asking its customers to look at how small changes in their everyday lives can help us to combat the effects of climate change.
Worksheets
Reservoirs
Welsh Water owns 14 major reservoirs used for recreational purposes. Our reservoirs are generally located on high ground. Rainfall is higher and the water can then be gravity fed to the treatment works and onto the settlements where water is used.
Where practical and safe, Welsh Water actively encourage visitors to share these resources with us and, at a number of our principal reservoirs, have developed facilities for a range of activities including fishing, sailing, canoeing and windsurfing.
For further activities and resources about reservoirs click here
Information
Download and read A guide to fishing
Download and read A guide to recreation
Download and read Caring for our heritage
Water safety
Even strong swimmers can get into difficulties if they’re not careful when swimming in open water. Remember too that accidents can also happen in relatively safe places like the bath or swimming pools. The name of the game is to know the risks, take safety precautions and supervise others. Here you’ll find various activities that should reinforce water safety rules in children.
For further activities and resources about water safety click here
Worksheets
