water
Only about 1% of the water on earth is available or safe to drink, something most students don't consider when using water in their everyday lives. An average American uses 160 gallons of water a day; this includes two gallons of water per day to brush his/her teeth and about 55 gallons of water to shower.
We can easily reduce this amount by using efficient technology and doing simple things like turning off the faucet when we brush our teeth.
Idea starters
- Reduce usage:
- Use water-conserving low-flow shower units in residence halls and athletic facilities. Low-flow toilets are great as well. Fix leaky faucets, toilets and pipes. Ensure that decorative fountains reuse water.
- Waste water:
- Divert water used for cooling equipment like air conditioners to the storm sewer system instead of sending it to the treatment plant. Keep chemicals from science labs and cleaning fluids out of sinks. Use a "Living Machine" to treat water instead of a standard treatment process; this type of technology uses re-created ecosystems such as wetlands to treat water.
In practice
To cut water use by 30%, Duke University developed a comprehensive water saving plan in 2005. The plan will reduce the volume of water used by irrigation systems, limit the watering of new trees and shrubs, and shut off fountains. The school has already installed low-flow toilets and shower heads to reduce residence-hall water use.
Resources
- American Water Works Association
- http://www.awwa.org/Advocacy/pressroom/statswp5.cfm
- Campus Waste
- http://www.campuswaste.com
- Water Saver Home
- http://www.h2ouse.org