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As the University of Georgia's Advisory Task Force on Water Resources studies ways the university can reduce water consumption in both the short- and long-term, it is apparent that many important steps already have been implemented with positive results. For example, University Housing has replaced the majority of showerheads and toilets in the residence halls with low-flow alternatives, and the Physical Plant is nearly two-thirds of the way through a plan to install these water-saving devices in all resident instruction buildings. Also, the use of native plants in the landscaping requires less water. In addition, pressure washing is banned; campus fountains have been shut down; no vehicles are being washed except those which are refuse vehicles (for health concerns); and the campus grounds are not being watered, except for the reduced watering of athletic facilities and the golf course via water from retention ponds. While some of these measures are in direct response to the current drought, others have been in place for several years, long before the problem arose.
The conservation effort on campus encompasses all departments and units. Food Services is no longer using water to thaw frozen meats and is using paper products for its overnight service in the Snelling Dining Commons. The Georgia Center for Continuing Education has stopped changing room linens on a daily basis in its hotel rooms unless specifically requested by guests; similarly, glasses of water are not placed at each table setting but must be requested. The Physical Plant has removed the automated flushing mechanisms from 144 toilets in the Student Learning Center in response to concerns that they were flushing too frequently. University Housing leaders are galvanizing student support in the residence halls for the ongoing effort to conserve water.
In addition, measures are being taken in research areas, including greenhouses, to reduce consumption. In greenhouses, plants are being consolidated and researchers are using only hand watering to further reduce water use. Research equipment has been surveyed to locate "once-through" potable water cooling, and steps are being taken to reduce these uses. In one instance, a recirculating cooling system was added to plant growth chambers, which is expected to reduce water consumption by more than 1 million gallons per year.
Overall, from July through September, UGA's total consumption is down about 9 percent - a savings of about 16.5 million gallons, in spite of the extremely high temperatures experienced during this time. It is particularly important to note that these reductions were achieved prior to the total outdoor watering ban declared on Sept. 17, as most of the September meters were read on or before that date. More significant savings are expected in October.
In response to the severity of the situation, Provost Arnett Mace and Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Tim Burgess charged the Advisory Task Force on Water Resources earlier this month to suggest a plan for UGA's water use. The charge to the task force is three-pronged: develop recommendations for ways that UGA can achieve significant reductions in its water use in the short-term (to reach a potential total reduction of 25 percent); recommend ways to conserve water over a sustained period; and recommend ways the university can increase its water supply, both in the short- and long-term. The task force will issue its report to the senior administration by mid-November.
As part of its work and as part of a campaign to increase awareness of the critical need to reduce water consumption, the task force held a public forum for the campus community Tuesday in the Chapel on North Campus. The forum consisted of an overview on the drought and its impact on the local water supply, a discussion of measures already being taken on campus, a question-and-answer exchange, and an introduction to the university's public awareness campaign, "Every Drop Counts!"
UGA has established a Web site dedicated to the conservation effort, which includes commonsense tips for people to practice in the office and home: http://www.uga.edu/aboutUGA/water_update.html, as well as a suggestion box for people to pose questions or comments. The UGA Advisory Task Force on Water Resources welcomes input as it considers potential recommendations on further ways the university can reduce its water consumption.
• Brown and Pharr are co-chairs of the UGA Advisory Task Force on Water Resources.
Published in the Athens Banner-Herald on 102507 |
The University of Georgia encourages faculty, staff, students and citizens to conserve water as seriously low water levels in North Georgia and drought conditions throughout the state continue to threaten the water supply.
