The Chronicle

Issue date: 12/5/07 Section: News
Last update: 12/5/07 at 5:46 AM EST

As Durham moves into Stage IV severe mandatory conservation measures for water use, the University has pledged $5 million toward water conservation projects.

"Water conservation is not new," Executive Vice President Tallman Trask said in a statement. "This fund will help us move more quickly to make operational changes at Duke to address the current drought and enhance our ongoing water conservation efforts."

The money will finance several new initiatives including installing low-flow showerheads and fixing inefficient residential facilities.

Residence Life and Housing Services will replace more than 1,000 showerheads in residence halls. The newly installed fixtures issue only 1.5 gallons per minute-one gallon per minute less than a standard head-and are expected to save thousands of gallons of water per day.

In addition, the University will give 5,000 low-flow showerheads to faculty, staff and students living off campus. Duke staff will be present at distribution points to answer questions, and a Duke ID will be required to get a fixture.

Currently, Duke is Durham's largest consumer of water. Over past months, the University has attempted to cut water use by moving many campus eateries to disposable plates and cups. In addition, most irrigation systems have been turned off.

Duke's goal remains to reduce water consumption to meet the city's restrictions.

The first giveaway will take place Monday, Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Chapel. Two further distributions will take place at the Smith Warehouse Work Control Center at 114 S. Buchanan Blvd. Those giveaways will be Tuesday, Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 21 in the same time slot.

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