service and outreach:
water at UGA
water conservation
UGA dropped its water use 28% in the last year, saving 90 million gallons and $250,000 through conservation and operational changes.
operations and outreach
The UGA Physical Plant has aggressively addressed water conservation on campus by:
- Replacing 1500 toilets, 500 urinals and 2000 faucet aerators in instructional building restrooms with water saving fixtures, with a projected savings of 30 million gallons of water annually.
- Reconfiguring the use of inexpensive but inefficient devices called "once-through" cooling units in Miller Plant Sciences, which led to an average savings of 1.25 million gallons of water a month in the plant sciences building alone.
- Installing 63 water meters on cooling towers in campus buildings to enable better measurement of water usage and detection and immediately repair of control malfunctions-steps that potentially could avert the loss of hundreds of gallons of water per hour.
- Repairing leaking pipes and fixtures in campus buildings.
- Commissioning a consulting firm to evaluate additional water conservation opportunities in research buildings.
- Continually identifying new opportunities for water savings and meeting regularly to evaluate progress.
UGA Food Services reduced its water usage in 2008 by 2.05 million gallons of water through conservation efforts including:
- The installation of trash pulpers at four dining commons and our two food courts dramatically reducing water usage in trash disposal systems.
- Turning off drink machine trough water flow and dry cleaning troughs instead.
- Eliminating the use of water to clean walkways.
- Washing full loads of dishes
- Purchasing Energy and Water efficient equipment
- Discontinuing the use of flowing water to thaw meats.
UGA Housing reduced water consumption in residence halls by 9 million gallons in 2008 through retrofits and outreach education to students including:
- Practical tips for conserving water in New Student Welcome Packets
- Replacement of the majority of shower heads and toilets in residence halls with low-flow devices and ensured that all washing machines are water-saving, front-loading models.
- A regular Every Drop Counts newsletter to residents and staff
- A Water Conservation Committee which seeks to further promote water conservation in residence halls
UGA Athletics programs cut their water use by 39 percent for the year. These efforts included:
- The development of public service announcements, scoreboard graphics and posters encouraging football fans to conserve water.
- Signs placed in stadium bathrooms asking male fans not to flush urinals after each use, but to allow restroom attendants to flush them periodically, reducing the total number of flushes.
Grounds Department reduced water use dramatically in 2008 by:
- Ceasing most outdoor irrigation
- Using native plants which are hardier and more drought-resistant
- Capturing rainwater where possible and better mulching to preserve high-priority landscaping, such as the foliage planted decades ago at the historic Founders Garden.
- Utilizing drip irrigation systems in campus landscape beds to reduce water consumption.
University Architects include water conservation techniques in the design and construction of new buildings, including:
- Condensate capture
- Rainwater Harvesting
- Water-efficient fixtures and landscape irrigation
Cooperative Extension began an Every Drop Counts Banner Program last year to increase public awareness of water conservation across Georgia. They also partnered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to use the "waterSmart" logo in conjunction with outdoor water conservation information distribution, publicity and publications.
courses and research
The University of Georgia has an active Water Resources Faculty group committed to teaching, research, and outreach that demonstrates how to wisely use our limited water resources. This group also coordinates the Georgia Water Resources Conference in collaboration with the UGA River Basin Center and other partners.
student efforts
The Go Green Alliance, an umbrella organization for student groups at UGA with an environmental focus, recently developed a proposal for sustainability at UGA which includes recommendations for water conservation efforts.
how to conserve more water
There are numerous ways to reduce your water use. For inspiration visit:
Every Drop Counts
Think at the Sink Water Tips
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