MORE than 200 primary school pupils in Oxfordshire have been getting wet this week as part of an education project.

The Groundwater Experience - run by Oxfordshire County Council, the British Geological Survey, the Environment Agency and Thames Water - is taking place at the Hill End Residential and Field Study Centre, in Farmoor.

Hydrogeologist Andrew McKenzie, of the British Geological Survey, said groundwater - from underground sources - was an essential part of the water cycle and our water resources.

In one activity, the youngsters took part in a role play where they acted as people with an interest in water issues, such as householders, farmers, industry, water companies and regulators.

Mr McKenzie said: "The idea of a groundwater festival is a very American concept. It's become a big thing in the more arid parts of the US. Groundwater is one of those things people don't think about - it's out of sight, out of mind. But in the South East, 70 to 80 per cent of our water supply comes from groundwater.

"It acts as a filter to clean the water, but it also acts as a reservoir and maintains the flow of rivers and streams over dry periods. Most of the water in a river will have spent part of its life as groundwater. Very little rain actually goes straight in a river."

The children's first exercise involved pumps, sponges and filters as well as model oceans, rivers and seas. Next, they learned about water conservation and about how landscape affects water drainage.

Mr McKenzie added: "The children were very enthusiastic and we hope they enjoyed themselves. They all got pretty wet. It was great fun and I think they came away with a message as well."

Children also had the chance to pump a 'borehole', investigate the county's geology, become a water molecule and visit a spring.

Other primary schools taking part in the four-day event are Bayards Hill in Oxford, Cumnor, St Nicholas in Abingdon, and Wychwood.