The campaign warns of the dangers of reservoirs

The safety drive, launched just before the school summer holidays, features a podcast recorded by two teenagers highlighting water dangers.

Welsh Water have also created posters, fact sheets and a cartoon strip to drive the message home to pupils.

A teenager died last month after swimming in Pontsticill reservoir near Merthyr Tydfil.

The body of Reuben Morgan, 15, from Cefn Coed, was recovered after a three-day search.

Welsh Water said the campaign aimed to prevent similar tragedies.

The podcast - audio which can be downloaded onto a computer or MP3 player - was recorded by James Chappell and Adam Hale, both pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Glantaf, Cardiff.

They interviewed Welsh Water's Gwyn Thomas about the dangers of swimming in reservoirs.

Listen to the podcast

James, 14, said using a podcast would help get the message across.

"If adults did it, children would not really listen, but hearing children do it, they take notice," he said.

"We ask a few questions - like what are the dangers of reservoirs - and they have the answers. For example, you can get hypothermia.

"There are also things under water that can damage you."

On the recording, Mr Thomas warns: "As appealing as that water looks today there's a lot of dangers that come from swimming in cold water... it may seem shallow around the edge, but all reservoirs go very deep, very quickly."

Sally Gronow of Welsh Water said there was already lots of information available on reservoir safety, but said the company wanted to "try something different" with the podcast.

A cartoon is aimed at younger pupils

"Instead of adults telling youngsters what they shouldn't do, the podcast and other materials allow teenagers to find out for themselves.

"And to help the message get home we have a safety fact sheet for schools, a warning poster with safety questions, and a cartoon strip with Welsh Water's mascot Splash the Otter, for younger children."

The campaign is being backed by Welsh Education Minister Jane Davidson, who said she fully supported the campaign after several drowning tragedies in Wales in recent months.

"I hope that schools and parents will use this information to ensure that young people understand that reservoir sites are to be enjoyed - but they can also be very dangerous, and that under no circumstances should they be tempted to swim in them," said the minister.