2008 Woodie Awards
Univ. plays part in drought plan
AMANDA WOODRUFF
Issue date: 2/25/08 Section: News
Despite continued progress by University water reduction efforts, the level four drought in Athens-Clarke County is "still serious," a University physical plant official said.
"We're in a situation where water is available," said Ken Crowe, physical plant director for energy services. "But the drought plan has not changed."
Research facilities use more than 31 percent of University water, but they reduced usage by 10 percent. Seven million gallons in November and December 2007 compared to the same months in 2006, he said.
At the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, research labs have been adjusted to recirculate water to cool equipment, an initiative that was implemented independently of the physical plant.
"We are much more aware of things than we used to be," Dan Colley, the center's director, said. "We basically have to use our heads and use things efficiently."
The physical plant shies away from assuming a "water police" role on campus, Crowe said. "We've relied on letting the labs do things on their own."
In March, a water conservation consultant hired by the University will survey water use and make recommendations on conservation projects, he said.
Other campus projects to reduce water use have continued progress, including a toilet overhaul, in which most of the 2,075 toilets on campus will be adjusted to low flow use.
Crowe said he expects the project will be completed by summer, with a projected savings of 20 million gallons per year.
The prospect of operating fountains once more are grim at this point, but Crowe said captured water from roofs and cisterns may enable their return.
In an effort to increase water saving, the physical plant will debut a Web site in "the next week or two" to show water use data on each University building, he said.
"Whether you're measuring water use or consumption, if people know there is some kind of accountability they will be more conscious of trying to save."
"We're in a situation where water is available," said Ken Crowe, physical plant director for energy services. "But the drought plan has not changed."
Research facilities use more than 31 percent of University water, but they reduced usage by 10 percent. Seven million gallons in November and December 2007 compared to the same months in 2006, he said.
At the Center for Tropical and Emerging Global Diseases, research labs have been adjusted to recirculate water to cool equipment, an initiative that was implemented independently of the physical plant.
"We are much more aware of things than we used to be," Dan Colley, the center's director, said. "We basically have to use our heads and use things efficiently."
The physical plant shies away from assuming a "water police" role on campus, Crowe said. "We've relied on letting the labs do things on their own."
In March, a water conservation consultant hired by the University will survey water use and make recommendations on conservation projects, he said.
Other campus projects to reduce water use have continued progress, including a toilet overhaul, in which most of the 2,075 toilets on campus will be adjusted to low flow use.
Crowe said he expects the project will be completed by summer, with a projected savings of 20 million gallons per year.
The prospect of operating fountains once more are grim at this point, but Crowe said captured water from roofs and cisterns may enable their return.
In an effort to increase water saving, the physical plant will debut a Web site in "the next week or two" to show water use data on each University building, he said.
"Whether you're measuring water use or consumption, if people know there is some kind of accountability they will be more conscious of trying to save."
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