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The Arboretum at
Penn State Behrend

GOALS: Water

Indicator 1: Decrease water usage at Behrend.

Between the years of 1996 and 2001, Behrend’s water usage grew by 43%. This water is used for potable uses (drinking, cooking, etc), non-potable uses (flushing toliets, cleaning landuary) and irrigatioin.

As Behrend continues to grow, it will become more of a challenge to not increase water demand. There are currently some measures in place to decrease water demand. These include:

• Food service uses high-efficiency hot water heaters.
• Housing has installed low-flow shower nozzles on existing showers in all student residence bathrooms, and uses high-efficiency clothes washers.
• Campus facilities have automatic shut off faucets and low-flush toilets.
• There is a cooling tower in the plastics lab to cool the water before dumping into the waste stream.  

Other alternatives to combat water usage on campus, include:

• Student education (water used during normal morning routine, water saving tips shower hangers).
• Adopt a proactive approach for water conservation in food service practices.
• Plumbing maintenance (water leaks) issues should be a priority (possibly through formation of a hotline).
• Place informational plaques in public bathroom area (could provide information about Behrend's water source and what happens to wastewater).
• Institute an educational program in Behrend's child care center on water conservation and recycling gray water and continue the program through graduation.
• Study feasibility of on-campus wastewater treatment.
• Continue to ensure efficiency of all plumbing fixtures.
• New construction on campus requires use of low-flush toilets and low-flow faucets, low-flow showerheads, and high efficiency hot water heaters.
• Explore waterless urinals.