By Brigitte Rodriguez, Publishing Associate: Researcher & Writer for Save The Water | March

In Utah, water conservation is essential because water is scarce. In addition, Utah has an arid climate. Water conservation helps to ensure sufficient water amounts for coming generations. That’s why using sustainable techniques such as rainwater harvesting is essential for Utah’s future and for preserving water.

Utah’s Water Situation

Utah’s citizens regard water as one of its most essential resources, especially when precipitation levels are low. Therefore, water resource management serves an essential role in society. Considering the ongoing demand for water despite the insufficient supply, people in Utah must think smart to save every drop of water.

The Vital Role of the Utah Rivers Council

The Utah Rivers Council contributes to the state by preserving water resources primarily by ensuring the protection of rivers and streams and raising public consciousness concerning water conservation. In addition to this, the Council is promoting an eco-innovation.

The Rain Barrels Initiative

A rain barrel is a storage container that collects and stores rainwater for later use.

Such containers help residents as the barrels enable them to save rainwater that would otherwise be wasted. Residents can then use this rainwater for irrigation, washing vehicles, or even for certain domestic tasks that don’t require drinking water.

Maintenance of the rain barrels is easy to master. You should only locate them on the edge of your roof gutter and let the falling rain fill them. Another thing you should do is remove dust, waste, or garbage from the barrels regularly to prevent any piled masses or obstructions. In this way, these simple actions will ensure that this water tank lasts for many years.

The Positive Impact of Rain Barrels

Rain barrels is one of the practices that have had a positive effect in Utah. Rainwater harvesting reduces demand from local water sources and saves water. Additionally, it plays a role in preventing contamination of rivers and other bodies of water by reducing the amount of polluted runoff.

What Can You Do?

You can take action to conserve water and reduce pollution. In your daily routine, some minor changes will have a significant impact. 

• Instead of taking long baths every morning, you could opt for shorter showers.
• Every drop counts; so, switch off the tap and fix all water leaks, when brushing the teeth. 
• Using reusable containers, you can reduce your use of single-use plastics that break down into microplastics, which pollute rivers.

Joseph Wright, staff writer for Save the Water

Introduction

Water conservation is something that everyone can take part in. While it is important to initiate ecologically conscious changes in our daily lives, it is important to encourage that change in all parts of our communities. Across the country, nearly 20 million students attend colleges and universities.7 These institutions have the ability to make a huge impact, negative or positive, on the environment. Some have already taken a leading role in being eco-conscious such as The University of Colorado, The University of New Hampshire, and Middlebury College in Vermont. Many other institutions have also taken huge steps forward, including the University of Miami (UM) in Coral Gables.

Ongoing Efforts

In 2005, UM launched a new program entitled Green U with the aim of making the University “a community leader in the acquisition of environmentally responsible products and the practice of ecologically sound maintenance and operations procedures.”5 Some initiatives include:9

• Installation of low-flow showerheads in residence halls
• Timer controls on irrigation systems
• Installation of low-flow urinals and toilets
• An aggressive water leak detection program

Amazingly, since 2012, UM has expanded, increasing its total square-footage while decreasing its total water-use.9 In an effort to decrease drinking water waste, UM has installed water-filling stations onto current drinking water fountains. During the fall, incoming students are given a reusable water bottle to promote use of these stations.9 The bottles and new filling stations are a part of the “Take Back The Tap” to reduce water waste and plastic bottle use.2,9

As the University has expanded, it has also made sustainable growth a priority. All new buildings erected on UM campuses meet the U.S Green Building Council’s LEED Silver certification.4 In addition to the new Silver standard, the Fieldhouse on the Coral Gables campus meets LEED Gold certification.7

Careful Planning

In 1993, a philanthropist and trustee of UM named Frank Smathers Jr. donated a 32-acre estate to the University.1 Eleven acres of this property were used to build housing for University faculty while keeping a low-impact and water conservation mindset.1 As a whole the project was so successful, it earned the Urban Land Institute Woolbright Dream Green Reality Award in 2009.1 Perhaps the most notable feature of these buildings is that they are very energy efficient. In water conservation, energy efficiency is vital. To produce nearly every kind of energy, water consumption is required – a chart provided by the IEEE can be found here.10 To keep energy use low and sustainable, solar panels have been installed to power the Patricia Louise Frost Music Studios, a solar phone charging station has been installed in the Richter Library, and campus trash and recycling compactors have had solar panels installed.7 Throughout the University’s expansion over the last few years, the annual energy usage has decreased.7

Recycling

As the University expands, it has also expanded its recycling program. Single-stream recycling has been adopted campus-wide and directly contributes to better water quality overall. In Florida, nearly 90% of drinking water comes from aquifer systems.8 The Biscayne Aquifer of South Florida is easily permeable due to its proximity to the surface of the ground making it more susceptible to pollution from trash.8 To reduce the amount of total waste, UM has instituted the Trayless Dining Initiative.8 In its first year, the initiative reduced food waste by 50 tons (17%).10

Of course, the University of Miami is just one place making efforts to live in a more ‘green’ world. In just a few short years, UM has made massive strides. Institutions across the United States are taking similar steps thanks to motivated and dedicated individuals – students and faculty.

What Can I Do?

Currently, if you are a part of an academic institution, you can help make them a more green, water-conscious place. Over 350 University Presidents have signed the Talloires Declaration via the Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF) – UM included.6 The Declaration stands as a commitment to pursuing environmentalism at an institutional level. If your institution’s president has not already signed the Declaration here are steps, listed in the link below, that the ULSF recommends to getting them as signatories.

Talloires Steps. For more information, visit http://ulsf.org/
President’s Climate Commitment. For more information, visit http://secondnature.org/

If you are currently a student or employee of the University of Miami you can assist future energy based programs by taking the survey below as part of the U Conserve Campaign, please visit http://bit.ly/2smBEXS

References

1. Association of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future. “Talloires Declaration.” http://ulsf.org/talloires-declaration/
2. Food & Water Watch. “Take Back the Tap.” http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/water/take-back-the-tap/
3. National Center for Education Statistics. “Fast Facts – Enrollment.” http://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=98
4. The University of Miami. “Green Building.” http://www.miami.edu/finance/index.php/green_u/green_building/
5. The University of Miami. “History.” http://www.miami.edu/finance/index.php/green_u/who_we_are-1/history/
6. The University of Miami. “Princeton Review – Green Campus.” https://umshare.miami.edu/web/wda/greenu/NEW%20IMAGES%202014/Princeton-greenPic.gif
7. The University of Miami. “Recycling.” http://www.miami.edu/finance/index.php/green_u/recycling/
8. The University of Miami. “Sustainability.” https://new.dineoncampus.com/miami/sustainability
9. The University of Miami. “Water.” http://www.miami.edu/finance/index.php/green_u/water/
10. Willie D. Jones. April 1, 2008. “How Much Water Does It Take To Make Electricity?.” IEEE. http://spectrum.ieee.org/energy/environment/how-much-water-does-it-take-to-make-electricity

Introduction

Like most things, environmental action is complex. Perhaps even more complicated is the role environmentalists have in protecting natural resources – water being one of particular importance. To understand our present time and the issues we face, it is beneficial to look back through history for perspective. By looking back at the discourse over the proposal to dam the Hetch Hetchy Valley in California we may understand the two sides of environmentalism while exploring the root of a current environmental struggle.

At the dawn of the 20th Century, cities were becoming more heavily populated and technological innovation grew exponentially. In order to meet the water needs of San Francisco residents, it was proposed that the Hetch Hetchy Valley be dammed. This proposal was supported by a pillar of environmental stewardship – Gifford Pinchot, director of the U.S Forest Service and the ‘father’ of ‘sustainability’.1 Opposing Pinchot’s worldview and the damming of the Valley was environmental romanticist and founder of the Sierra Club, John Muir.2

The Debate

The debate over whether or not to build the dam ranged from 1908 to 1913 and was controversial because the proposed lands were currently part of the protected Yosemite National Park3. Being a federal issue, it was the responsibility of Congress to decide the fate of the valley. Muir and those who sided with him represented a side of environmentalism known as ‘preservationism’. In 1908 Muir wrote of Hetch Hetchy’s beauty, claiming it surpassed even the majestic Yosemite Valley.4 Pinchot did not deny the natural beauty of the valley, but he did not believe in protecting nature for the sake of nature or natural beauty. Marking the true start of ‘conservationism’ Pinchot makes his stance clear in his 1913 testimony before the House Committee on Public Lands. He advised that natural resources should be regulated in a way that most greatly utilizes them while serving the most people.5 It is important to remember that this debate was national news as environmental stewardship became a central theme of the growing Progressive reform movement thanks in large part to President Theodore Roosevelt2. Conservation groups nationally lent support to Muir such as the Appalachian Mountain Club, and the Chicago–based Saturday walking club, though fellow Sierra Club founder, Warren Olney, echoed Pinchot’s stance.6

Although there is a deep, rich history over the issue it must be said that Congress ultimately sided with Pinchot and the conservationists. In August of 1913, H.R 7207, otherwise known as the Raker Bill, was passed in the House and December of the same year it passed the Senate and was signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson. The bill granted a special land use permit to the city of San Francisco to dam the Hetch Hetchy Valley.7 Today the dam, known as the O’Shaughnessy Dam (for the lead engineer of the project), still stands, providing water to millions of residents while remaining a point of environmental contention in the San Francisco area.8

What Does It Mean For Me?

This debate puts into context the difficulties associated with environmental stewardship. In considering issues such as fracking, algal blooms, and intensive forestry it is important to remember that even environmentalists disagree. By understanding the major themes in environmentalism and considering them in our activism we can come to solutions that are more appealing to a wider audience. This case also illuminates the need to fight for environmental action, as John Muir’s efforts led to the passage of the 1916 National Park Service Act. Truly, this shows how every party involved in an environmental issue can have something positive to contribute.

This debate forces us to consider how water must be used. Should it be something we preserve? Something we distribute as widely as possible? Or something else altogether?

What Can I Do?

By becoming active in various organizations or simply signing up for email lists, you can become informed of the efforts being made in your community and nationally.

http://www.hetchhetchy.org/act

1. Shutkin, Bill. “Muir Vs. Pinchot.” Vermont Public Radio. Retrieved from http://www.vpr.net/episode/32782/muir-vs-pinchot.
2. Manetta, Brian. “John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, and the Battle for Hetch Hetchy.” Ithica College. Retrieved from http://www.ithaca.edu/history/journal/papers/sp02muirpinchothetchy.html.
3. The National Archives. “Hetch Hetchy Environmental Debates. Retrieved from http://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/hetch-hetchy/.
4. The National Archives – Records of the U.S House of Representatives. “Hetch Hetchy Environmental Debates. Retrieved from http://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/hetch-hetchy/hr7207.html.
5. George Mason University. “Giving a Dam: Congress Debates Hetch Hetchy. Retrieved from http://historymatters.gmu.edu/d/5721/.
6. Carlsson, Chris. “print The Hetch Hetchy Story, Part I: John Muir, Preservationists vs. Conservationists.” Found SF.  Retrieved from http://bit.ly/2tdVWmg.
7. Muir, John. “The Hetchy Hetchy Valley.” Assumption College. Retrieved from http://www1.assumption.edu/users/mcclymer/His130/P-H/hetch%20hetchy/TheHetchHetchyValley.html.
8. PBS Newshour. The O’Shaughnessy Dam Debate.  Retrieved from http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/environment-july-dec05-dam_8-12/.