Drought causes schools to up water conservation

Universities in western North Carolina are stepping up efforts to help their counties weather the drought - an increasingly imperative collaboration as dry conditions worsen.

Large operations like those at Appalachian State University and Western Carolina University require a conscious effort to avoid draining town resources.

ASU, located in Boone, has its own reservoir and does not use the town's water source, said Michael O'Connor, ASU's director of the Physical Plant, which maintains utilities.

However, Boone relies on natural water sources, which are at an all-time low, O'Connor said. In response, ASU, Boone and nearby Blowing Rock are linking their water systems, ensuring a less volatile water supply.

"Having these three systems interconnected will really improve the water security in this community," he said.

Despite not directly experiencing water shortages, ASU installed low-flow shower heads and faucets and made sure that all the leaks around the campus were fixed.

"We've cut the draw from our reservoir in half in the last year," O'Connor said.

Western Carolina University, which doesn't have its own independent water supply, has employed similar water-saving techniques.

Because WCU is somewhat removed from the nearest town, conservation is more a matter of personal water security than concern about a negative impact on the non-university community.

The university draws from the same water sources as the nearby towns, so a partnership is unnecessary, said Lauren Bishop, WCU facilities management energy manager.

They also just finished installing water-saving fixtures in residence halls. A grant from the State Energy Office funded the renovation.

"That's probably the biggest thing we could have done," Bishop said. "That takes the behavioral part out of it and puts the technology in it."

O'Connor said that most ASU students are also actively engaged in water conservation efforts, encouraging sustainable practices throughout campus. They formed the greening committee to make their student union more environmentally friendly.

"Most of the students here are fairly green conscious," O'Connor said. "A granola campus, I guess they would call it."

Brian Cain, research and outreach manager at the UNC Sustainability Office, said students in Chapel Hill are like-minded.

"When you think of some of our biggest sustainability projects . a lot of those were student-driven," he said, citing solar-heated water in Morrison Residence Hall, the use of biodiesel in the P2P shuttles, and the self-imposed "green energy" student fee as examples.

The drought is still far from over in Chapel Hill - its reservoirs are only at 71 percent capacity - and the University is continuing to respond with conservation initiatives. One of the biggest projects entails a non-potable water utility that takes treated wastewater and uses it for flushing toilets and irrigating plants.

All of these efforts are part of an emerging trend as universities try to lessen their impact on local communities' resources.

"We're doing things to share in the pain. We're being good neighbors," O'Connor said.

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.