Water Conservation
Water represents a significant portion of Santa Clara University resource consumption and has therefore been a target of reduction efforts in recent years.
In the 2007-2008 fiscal year, SCU consumed an estimated 121,452,760 gallons of potable water, while during the 2000-2001 fiscal year Santa Clara consumed about 143,936,144 gallons. This difference shows a 15.63% reduction in overall potable water consumption and a 17% reduction per square foot of building space. Many combined efforts helped realize this reduction.
Waterfree urinals have been installed in restrooms throughout campus. Presently there are 215 waterfree urinals (made by Falcon Waterfree Technologies, LLC. Grand Rapids, MI). These units are estimated to conserve an average of 40,000 gallons of water per urinal per year based on 7,000 flushes per year. Based on these figures, SCU saves 8,600,000 gallons of water from the urinals alone.
Why convert to waterfree urinals? Some of the environmental benefits [from Falcon Waterfree Technologies]:
- As much as five (5) percent of fresh water consumed is currently used to carry away urine. By using this touch-free, completely hygienic system we are helping the environment to conserve an average of 40,000 gallons per urinal per year.
- Water does not need to be pumped to the urinal or away from it to the water treatment facility, thus conserving energy.
- The energy savings realized contribute to reduced carbon dioxide emissions.
- Reducing the load on treatment plants minimizes the need for costly water treatment capacity increases and reduces the incidence of overflow events.
- Reduces the urinal maintenance and repair costs in labor and materials.
- Conversion to this technology supports the University sustainability initiative.
Other initiatives are located within the Residence Halls. Residence hall laundry facilities now include only front-loading washing machines. Compared to top-loading models that they replaced, front-loaders use 35 to 50% less water. Over a whole year, each front-loading unit saves roughly 4,000 to 6,000 gallons of water.
Low-flow shower heads are now used in 95% of resident halls. These shower heads spray 2.5 gallons per minute. Low-flow toilets and sink aerators have also been installed in most campus locations.
For information on recycled water at SCU see
The Facilities Department
