Smart conservation ensures there's still a drop to drink

You can't see them here, but that doesn't mean they aren't working. Heat wheels in the Whitehead Biomedical Research Building wring humidity out of the air and store it underground, contributing to 4 million gallons-worth of water that is captured and used in Emory's chilled-water system.

In October, the State of Georgia declared a level four drought, the most severe level of drought, for 60 counties in Georgia, including DeKalb and Fulton. And while some much-needed, (very) late-December precipitation saved 2007 from being named the state’s driest ever on record, the drought has had widespread implications for everyone at Emory.       

Actually, Emory has long been forward-thinking regarding water conservation. In 1995, the University re-evaluated its policies and developed a statement of principles to reduce water consumption in Atlanta and Oxford. In addition, a consulting team was hired to review storm-water management, waste-water management, and overall water conservation on Emory’s campuses.

Emory already has done some innovative things in its buildings to help conserve water such as installing low-flow shower heads, dual-flush toilets, waterless urinals at Crawford Long hospital and other locations on campus. A policy also is in place where no irrigation of trees and shrubs takes place after three years.

Currently Emory has more certified “green” building space by square footage than any other university in the nation. Emory’s green buildings conserve water in the following ways:

• A closed-loop laser system helps the Math and Science Center save 2.8 million gallons of water per year.
• Water use in Candler Library has been reduced by 30 percent.
• Low-flow fixtures in the Goizueta Business School reduced water use by 20 percent. Cisterns also capture storm water and condensate from air handling units for irrigation.
• Water-saving fixtures at the Winship Cancer Center reduced water use by 24 percent.
• The Whitehead Biomedical Research Building conserves water and energy at the same time by using large heat wheels to wring the humidity out of the atmosphere and storing it underground. The heat wheels at Emory’s Children’s Center and Whitehead combined result in almost 4 million gallons of water being captured and used in Emory’s chilled-water system.

Together, these five Emory buildings include underground rainwater cisterns that collectively hold 300,000 gallons of water. This water is reused on plants and trees around campus. The rainwater cistern for Emory’s new freshmen residence halls currently under construction will provide water for toilet flushing.

To help combat Georgia’s extreme drought, Emory is leading by example by turning off all irrigation systems and ceasing all outdoor watering by Emory employees to comply with state watering restrictions. This includes the fall installation of the award-winning winter annuals.—Kelly Gray