In 2010, SCU consumed an estimated 68,857,433 gallons of potable water. Roughly 35,689,558 gallons of recycled water irrigated over 80 percent of the campus landscape. Recycled water accounts for 35-40 percent of annual campus water usage.
Water Initiatives
Water Bottle Filling Stations
Filling your reusable water bottle just got a little easier! Water fountains and goose-neck fillers (which allow you to fill a water bottle while holding it upright) are identified on one campus map, called "Water Filling Stations".
The second map offers users the option to learn more about a myriad of sustainability initiatives across campus. Read about solar panels, sustainable buildings, bike parking, the organic community garden, and more!
Campus community members and visitors can use their smart phones to determine the nearest water filling station, compost bin, or most convenient bike rack.
Maps are updated often. Suggestions for additions to the maps are welcome. Please e-mail sustainability@scu.edu.
In 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.
Waterfree Urinals
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.
Recycled Water
More than 85 percent of our campus landscape is irrigated with recycled water. This represents more than 40 percent of total campus water consumption.
All efforts are made to water over night to use water efficiently. Sometimes, Facilities must water during the day to prepare for events or remedy the lawn after an extended period of non-watering. If you notice a sprinklers on during the day and feel it is in error, please call Facilities (408-554-4742).
Online meters linked to Serious Energy Manager at Support Services, Swig Hall, Jesuit Residence Complex, and Nobili Hall. SCU also has offline meters at multiple buildings on campus.
