As the school year begins, Westernport Water is delighted to celebrate another successful year of its Prep Water Bottle Initiative.

Now in its ninth year, the initiative ensures prep students start their education journey with a free, reusable stainless steel water bottle, reinforcing the importance of hydration and sustainability.

This year, 250 stainless steel water bottles were given to excited prep students across seven local primary schools, including Cowes, Our Lady Star of the Sea, Newhaven College, Newhaven, San Remo, Bass Valley, and Powlett River.

Since the initiative's inception in 2017, Westernport Water said 2505 bottles have been provided to new prep students, "helping them develop healthy hydration habits from day one".

"It's important to create healthy habits from day one and encourage students to keep hydrated throughout the school day," said Westernport Water's Managing Director, Dona Tantirimudalige .

"We are proud to continue our partnership with local primary schools to support the well-being and education of our community's youngest learners.

"Encouraging students to make tap water their go-to drink, not only supports their hydration but also fosters early lessons in sustainability."

Newhaven Primary School's prep teacher Bethanie Williams thanked Westernport Water for its ongoing support.

"Our prep children love their new drink bottles," Bethanie said.

"They are learning to re-fill their bottles at our beautiful new drinking taps that have a water bottle refill station, also funded by Westernport Water."

At the heart of the prep water bottle initiative is the Choose Tap campaign, which highlights the health and environmental benefits of drinking tap water over sugary alternatives.

Research shows that even a two per cent drop in body water levels can lead to a 13 per cent decrease in concentration, making proper hydration essential for students' learning and well-being.