Students of Gozo College San Lawrenz Primary School will be reducing the weight of their schoolbags by some 6,500 water bottles per year. The school has received a reverse osmosis filtration system as part of the HSBC Water Programme’s Catch the Drop campaign.

Reusable water bottles were distributed to the students who can now stop carrying a disposable water bottle, generally weighing 500-700g. The bottles are of the highest quality and are BPA (bisphenol A.)-free, making them safe for children to reuse. They were distributed by HSBC Foundation for Education France secretary general Séverine Coutel during a visit to Malta.

Coutel said: “The initiative helps students to carry lighter schoolbags as well as save them the unnecessary expense of purchasing disposable bottles. This will naturally lead to diminishing financial and environmental costs. Disposable water bottles also use a lot of processed water, so having a permanent water bottle reduces the overall rate of water consumption in the long run.”

During a ceremony held on the occasion, students presented water-related songs and poems. The student council members showcased their exhibition of water-related art works. Those present included representatives from HSBC, the Gozo Ministry, Eco-Gozo, Ekoskola and San Lawrenz local council.

Installed in the school kitchen, the reverse osmosis system will filter the incoming water from chlorine, silt, rust and contaminants, such as nitrates, pesticides and other pollutants. The resulting potable water will be stored in an under-sink tank for distribution to students by means of a special tap.

The extra waste water rejected by the system will be captured and utilised for the school’s restrooms.