UC MERCED WATER BATTLE 2011
Project Description
UC Merced was the first University to use a real time monitoring technology to monitor Water Consumption on campus. In Partnership with AquaCue, AquaCue Barnacles were installed in water meters on campus allowing users to see their water consumption real time. In collaboration with Engineers for a Sustainable World, AquaCue and The Office of Sustainability, Green Campus organized a Water Battle against the 9 Valley Terraces ( Upper-Class Housing), challenging students to save water in their dorms by simply taking shorter showers, or turning off the water while brushing their teeth. Stanislaus took first place and Tulare having the biggest improvement!
Project Planning Committee
Alliance to Save Energy PowerSave Green Campus : Martin Figueroa (Main Organizer)
UC Merced Departments/Faculty: Jim Genes ( Water Stakeholder), John Haner (Writing Professor), Emron Quarat (Facilities Manager)
Engineers for a Sustainable World: Stephen Ho
UC Merced Departments/Faculty: Jim Genes ( Water Stakeholder), John Haner (Writing Professor), Emron Quarat (Facilities Manager)
Engineers for a Sustainable World: Stephen Ho
MetricsMetrics
Water Savings: 89,436 (gal) # of Students Participating: 565 Average % Reduction Rate: 14% Website hits: 2867 Units: 9 Buildings, 256 Sinks, 208 Toilets, 208 Showers |
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Awards/Media Coverage
Awards:
Media Coverage:
- United States White House Office of Public Engagement Campus Champions of Change - Finalist Award
Media Coverage:
- Website UC Merced http://www.ucmerced.edu/news/students-clash-month-long-battle-save-water
ABC 30 Fresno http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news%2Feducation&id=8404497
UC Merced Student Newspaper http://theprodigy.ucmerced.edu/article/water-competition-2011
Water Battle Article by Yesenia Amaro appeared 10/11 in the Merced Sun-Star (circ. 14,000) and 10/22 in
the Modesto Bee (circ. 75,000)
News aggregators:
California Water Alliance: Central Valley Farmers and Agricultural Business persons, 4,000 members --
state and nationwide.
Aquafornia, California Water Blog 10/11 average 1200 hits/day. Owned by the water education foundation.
Water conservation news aggregator 10/22
Technology news for higher education 10/12
California Water News
Aquacue Blog.
Residence Hall Comparison
Everyone saved Water! 14% less than baseline
• Tulare hall used most water/person (~56 Gallons/P/D), and highest reduction of water per person (-18 Gallons/P/D) during the competition.
• Tulare had the highest saving rate: 32% under baseline.
• Madera hall used 21% less water than baseline.
• Stanislaus: Used least amount of water per person at 19.75 Baseline
to 19.0 contest. Kept it very low. Saved 3.4 % of baseline.
• Leaks were the killer: Merced leaked as much water as they saved: ~11,000 gallons. If they shut off the leak and saved water Merced would have had a savings rate of 32%.
• Leaks accounted for 5.6% of water consumed during the competition
and represents 33% of the water saved.
•Water savings continued into November. All dorms consumed 6% less water than October!
• Tulare hall used most water/person (~56 Gallons/P/D), and highest reduction of water per person (-18 Gallons/P/D) during the competition.
• Tulare had the highest saving rate: 32% under baseline.
• Madera hall used 21% less water than baseline.
• Stanislaus: Used least amount of water per person at 19.75 Baseline
to 19.0 contest. Kept it very low. Saved 3.4 % of baseline.
• Leaks were the killer: Merced leaked as much water as they saved: ~11,000 gallons. If they shut off the leak and saved water Merced would have had a savings rate of 32%.
• Leaks accounted for 5.6% of water consumed during the competition
and represents 33% of the water saved.
•Water savings continued into November. All dorms consumed 6% less water than October!
