WATER CONSERVATION IN SCHOOLS
NCEF's resource list of links, books, and journal articles on water efficiency, water recycling, and plumbing issues in school buildings and grounds.
References to Books and Other Media
Northeast-CHPS Operations and Maintenance Guide.
(Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships, Lexington, MA , Apr 2010)
Advises on a wide range of topics from energy and water efficiency in a school, to incorporating renewable energy systems, as well as technologies for improved school indoor environmental quality. Additionally, there are detailed guidelines for implementing environmentally friendly policies and practices for existing buildings, such as anti-idling policies, recycling programs, using green cleaning agents, and developing training for building operators. 90p.
(King County (Seattle) Solid Waste Division, 2010)
Presents a brief list of water conservation methods for schools.
(Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources , 2010)
Presents water conservation steps for schools wishing to qualify as a Green School under the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources system. Identifies current water use practices in schools, and ways to modify these practices to conserve water and maintain public health. Section for teachers contains water-related lessons and curriculum connections. In order to save water at school, students need to know where their water comes from and where it goes, how to save water, and to understand why they should save water.
Water Use in Buildings: Achieving Business Performance Benefits through Efficiency.
(McGraw Hill Construction., Jun 2009)
This report reviews the role of water efficiency in buildings, including the following topics: involvement and importance of water efficiency, business benefits of water-efficient practices and methods, drivers and obstacles to water efficiency, types of water-efficient products and methods and sources of information behind product selection and use. 40p.
References to Journal Articles
Thinking Green Mindset Changes That Make a Difference
University Business; Jun 2012
Shares ideas that have resulted in changes in the way campuses think about food, water, energy consumption, and solar energy. Sections include: 1) water woes: eliminating wasteful habits; 2) dining hall dilemma: changing the way campuses think about food; 3) solar farms sprouting up on campuses; 4) energy dashboards promote responsible usage; and 5) sustainable solutions.
Sustainability in Action
School Planning and Management; , p50-56 ; Apr 2012
Case study of the water selection, siting, and energy costs factored into the design of Samuel V. Champion High School in the Boern ISD in Texas.
Clean and Safe Washroom School Maintenance
American School and University; , p24-26 ; Mar 2012
Schools and universities must be vigilant about upkeep of their washrooms to avoid potential health and behavior problems. Discusses health issues, problems with bullies and vandalism, and water conservation.
Water Conservation Focus of Grounds Department's Efforts
Maintenance Solutions; Oct 2011
Describes how the California Institute of Technology grounds department installed a weather station and a computerized irrigation system. The control system applies the least amount of water necessary for the current climactic conditions, including air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and solar.
Uncovering Hidden Water Efficiency. [Mechanical Systems: Targeting Water Efficiency.]
Maintenance Solutions; v19 n7 , p10,12 ; Jul 2011
Confronts continued water inefficiency by suggesting a number of steps to curtail water use by mechanical systems, i particular, boilers and water heaters, without disrupting operations. Author calls for tracking water use, controlling contaminants, and focusing on water heaters.
The Basics of a Water Audit.
Facility Management Journal; v21 n4 , p36,37,39,40 ; Jul-Aug 2011
Discusses the steps of a water audit for a building, followed by advice on the prioritization of water-saving measures.
A Balancing Act for Water Conservation.
Maintenance Solutions; v19 n5 , p13-15 ; May 2011
Discusses toilet selection options, including the water use, maintenance requirements, and practicality of various models and valve configurations.
Slow the Flow.
American School and University; v83 n9 , p32,34,35 ; May 2011
Notes that facility restrooms typically account for 45 percent of water consumption, and outlines the criteria of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program, which puts its imprimatur on low water-use fixtures.
Strategies for Sustainable Landscapes.
Maintenance Solutions; v19 n5 , p24,26 ; May 2011
Discusses current high-efficiency irrigation systems, low-maintenance and regionally hardy plants, and integrated pest management for more environmentally conscious and affordable landscapes.
A Fresh Focus on Water Issues.
Facility Management Journal; v21 n3 , p68,70,71 ; May-Jun 2011
Confronts reality of U.S. water shortages and the challenges facing repair and maintenance of water-related infrastructure. School facilities managers can do the following: 1) Go beyond the current federal mandates for water-conserving features in restrooms and bathrooms, where most of the water is used in commercial facilities. 2) Install no-water fixtures such as waterless urinals. 3) Use sensor-operated restroom fixtures. 4) Transfer to xeriscape landscaping system.
Finding a Balance.
College Planning and Management; v14 n3 , p47-50 ; Mar 2011
Addresses current trends in the invisible components of building systems: foam duct insulation, greener energy systems, and water resource conservation. The article highlights Pennsylvania State University steps to establish an Energy Innovation Hub to be located at Philadelphia Navy Yard Clean Energy campus.
Flush Rainwater, Not Money, Down Your Toilets.
Buildings; v105 n2 , p36-38,40 ; Feb 2011
Examines the feasibility of rainwater harvesting, and offers expanded understanding of possible uses of rainwater besides toilet water and other non-potable applications. Effective retention and reuse can result in LEED points.
Respecting the Elements.
American School and University; v83 n3 , p229-231 ; Nov 2010
Discusses sustainable school landscape design and maintenance. Promotion of low-maintenance plantings, green roofs, LED landscape lighting, synthetic athletic turf, reducing impermeable surfaces, and water conservation are addressed.
Plumbing Retrofits: Measure of Success.
Maintenance Solutions; v18 n11 , p10,11 ; Nov 2010
Describes various methods of auditing a facility's water use, quantifies the benefits of water savings, and describes a number of water-conserving plumbing fixtures.
LEED Makes the Case for Water Efficiency.
Building Operating Management; v57 n11 , p20,22,24 ; Nov 2010
Discusses the use of LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EBOM) guidelines to implement water saving in buildings. LEED-EBOM requires a 20 percent reduction of water for certification, and extra points are available for exceeding that. Analyzing water use can be difficult with older fixtures, but many plumbing upgrades are easy and inexpensive. Submetering will reveal how much water various building functions use, and occupant participation is essential.
Water Efficiency Measures on School Campuses: A Case Study.
Dove, Daniel; Helgason, Loren
Green Building Pro; Sep 21, 2010
Profiles George Washington University's Square 80, a sustainable outdoor plaza. Rainwater harvesting, native plants, pervious pavement, roof water collection, cisterns, and biofiltration planters are described.
Plumbing: Retrofits That Pay.
Maintenance Solutions; v18 n8 , p12,13 ; Aug 2010
Provides a step-by-step strategy for making decisions on choice and effectiveness of retrofits to a school's water-use systems.
American School and University; v82 n10 , p26-29 ; May 2010
Balances the need for restroom design and equipment providing good hygiene with the need for judicious use of skin care supplies and amount of water used in showers, sinks, and toilets.
The Top Ten Energy Wasters in K-12 Facilities (and What to Do about Them).
School Business Affairs; v76 n4 , p32-34 ; May 2010
Presents the top ten sources of wasted energy and water in schools, along with suggestion for how to mitigate them. These involve HVAC systems, lighting, and plumbing.
Green School Design.
School Planning and Management; v49 n4 , p64,66,68 ; Apr 2010
Uses the Michael J. Homer Science and Live Center at Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton, Califonia, as an example of early and high attainment in the LEED certification scheme. The LEED Platinum-rated facility consumes 69 percent less energy and 50 percent less water than a typical school building of similar size. Intensive "green" strategies are described, including energy recovery from appliances, photovoltaics, and evaporative cooling.
Going Green by Saving Blue.
Buildings; v104 n4 , p46-49 ; Apr 2010
Advises on water conservation by submetering to determine specific use, thoughtful landscaping that does not need watering, careful installation and maintenance of efficient irrigation systems, and watering landscapes only when necessary.
American School and University; v82 n7 , p38-41 ; Mar 2010
Advises on water savings and hygiene in school bathrooms. Choices in toilet types and hand-drying equipment are addressed.
Want to Turn Off the Tap on Water Waste? These Programs Can Help.
Building Operating Management; v57 n3 , p12,13 ; Mar 2010
Advises on use of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense label to select products that save water. Case studies are included.
Drowning in the Desert.
Landscape Architecture; v100 n1 , p26,28-30,32,34,36 ; Jan 2010
Profiles the University of Arizona's Underwood Garden, a lush plaza that uses collected rainwater and water reclaimed from HVAC systems. After the budget for the project was eliminated, non-profit and business donations underwrote its construction.
Best Practices for Sustainable Design of Vivariums.
Cordes, Edwin; Crow, Carl
Laboratory Design; v14 n12 , p10,12 ; Dec 2009
Provides an overview of the reasons for and benefits of sustainable design of vivariums. Specific strategies for improving water efficiency and saving energy are discussed.
Water Conservation for Your Landscaping.
Buildings; v103 n12 , p34-36 ; Dec 2009
Discusses incorporation of landscape management into building operation plans, illustrated by examples of conservation techniques using low-water plantings, turf area reduction, mulching in place, and drip irrigation.
Plumbing: Rewarding Retrofits.
Maintenance Solutions; v17 n11 , p18,19 ; Nov 2009
Describes conversion to water-saving plumbing fixtures at the University of Georgia, as well as attention to water use in cooling towers and research buildings. A saving of 90 million gallons of annual water use per year was realized.
Turn Off the Tap: Saving H2O One Drop at a Time.
Facility Management Journal; v19 n6 , p52-53,55 ; Nov-Dec 2009
Discusses the cost of transporting and treating water, building functions that do not require potable water, and increasing regulation covering water consumption
Restrooms: Upgrade to Green.
Maintenance Solutions; v17 n10 , p8,10 ; Oct 2009
Discusses water-saving restroom fixtures, including high-efficiency toilets, and sensor-activated flushing controls. Different faucet flow rates for different types of hand washing are also addressed, as are potential incentives from local water utilities for reducing water use.
A Lesson in Sustainability.
Environmental Design and Construction; v12 n9 , p18-22 ; Sep 2009
Profiles the recycling of an outdated campus building into the new home for Arizona State University's School of Sustainability and Global Institute of Sustainability. The energy and water conservation features are described, as is the extensive recycled material content. Five additional environmentally conscious higher educational facilities are also cited in the article.
Soaking up the Storm.
Hieber, Mark; King, Susan
Environmental Design and Construction; v12 n9 ; Sep 2009
Describes how Lawrence Technological University responded to a mandate to control rainwater runoff with a green roof on its new student services building, graywater toilets, and bioswales. Project statistics, a list of design and construction participants, and list of materials used are included.
Medina School Celebrates Cycles of Nature, Learning.
Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce; Aug 2009
Profiles the St. Thomas School in Medina, Washington. The LEED Gold private K-6 school features areas where boundaries between learning and play do not exist at the early grades. The school is daylit, naturally ventilated, has stormwater collection features, porous pavement, and visual aids that express the cycles of nature through the seasonal stages of the oak tree.
Ethical Culture Fieldston Middle School.
Architectural Record; Jul 2009
Profiles this new New York private middle school. Features such as the third floor roof garden and rainwater-collecting cistern that collects water for local irrigation contributed to the schools' LEED Silver certification. Project information, plans, and photographs are included.
Earth, Wind, and Fire.
Gold, Donna; Ferlazzo, Mike
College Planning and Management; v12 n7 , p22,-24,26-28 ; Jul 2009
Profiles three colleges’ respective use of wind power, composting, solar energy, geothermal systems, and intense water conservation.
Smart Landscaping for Your Facility.
Facility Management Journal; v19 n4 , p52-55 ; Jul-Aug 2009
Advises on replacing high-maintenance landscapes with those that use less water, heartier plants, sophisticated and properly zoned water delivery systems. Updating landscaping when buildings are renovated is recommended.
Performance Contract Saves Energy and Money.
School Planning and Management; v48 n5 , p26,28,30,31 ; May 2009
Uses the Metro Nashville Public Schools' experience with an energy performance contract to illustrate savings realized in energy and water usage through updated fixtures and equipment. The energy auditing process, funding, and phasing of the improvements are discussed.
ASU Polytechnic Green.
Architecture Week; , pB1.1-B1.3 ; Apr 22, 2009
Profiles the new academic complex at the Arizona State University Polytechnic campus. Horizontal shades allow daylighting while protecting the building from extreme desert sun. Shaded walkways and courtyards create outdoor circulation areas that do not require air conditioning, photovoltaic panels adorn the roof, bioswales capture rainwater, and native plantings are used.
Environmentally Conscious Changes on Campus.
Lany, Tom; Owens, Charles
College Planning and Management; v12 n4 , p62,64,66,67 ; Apr 2009
Profiles environmental efforts at Gustavus Adolphus College, including plastic carry-out dinnerware that is to be returned, washed, and reused; higher efficiency lighting, low water- use toilets, and high-efficiency clothes washers.
Going Green Can Mean Savings for Schools, Districts.
School Planning and Management; v48 n4 , p12 ; Apr 2009
Outlines typical building features that contribute to sustainability. These include cool roofs, daylighting, energy-efficient artificial lighting, displacement ventilation, low-VOC carpet and finishes, flooring from renewable sources, water-efficient and waterless fixtures, xeriscaping, and green cleaning.
Saving Water, Saving Dollars.
College Planning and Management; v12 n4 , p54,56,58,60 ; Apr 2009
Reviews worsening drought situations worldwide, increasing demands for water, typical municipal efforts to curb water use, and higher education efforts to reduce water use in restrooms and to capture rainwater.
Going Green by Thinking Blue.
School Planning and Management; v48 n4 , p38,40-42,44 ; Apr 2009
Discusses the use of rainwater as a teaching tool, by creating rain gardens bioswales, permeable pavers, and green roofs at school facilities. Explanations of these four features and advice on how to create them are offered, along with advantages of retaining rainwater onsite and use of native plant species.
Putting Waterless to Work.
Yon, Douglas; Cosaboon, David
Maintenance Solutions; v17 n1 , p8,10 ; Jan 2009
Describes three current designs for waterless urinals, how they are installed in existing restrooms, maintenance and cleaning of the units, and training of custodial staff to work with them.