Merri Creek Management Committee (MCMC) staff often visit school grounds to deliver environmental education programs and recently we noticed that a lot of the rain tanks, which have been installed over the last decade, were being under-used or sitting dormant.

As part of a new 2014-15 project funded by Whittlesea City Council, MCMC conducted an online survey with all Whittlesea schools to gain knowledge about how they use of their rain tanks. MCMC's Waterwatch Coordinator, Jane Bevelander, is following up these surveys by visiting schools, conducting an onsite audit with school staff, and providing schools with advice on how to better utilise their rain water.

After just two school visits Jane has seen some great initiatives, such as a tank linked to watering a new mini orchard. However for those schools that need improvement, one incentive is funding and support from the project to use tank water in productive way by creating a frog bog on the school grounds.

The aims of this project are for students to make the connection between their rain tank water and saving mains water, whilst helping schools to reduce that mains water use, thereby protecting local waterways.

If you would like more information on this project please contact Jane on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 9380 8199.