Benchmark 13: Prohibit the installation of permanent irrigation systems that rely on potable water Target and Date: Total ban by June 2011
Highlights:
Land and Resource Management
Current general operating procedures implemented by the Office of Design and Construction at Ohio University restrict permanent irrigation systems that rely on potable water.
OHIO’s Residential Housing department is currently in the design phase of an exciting new residential hall building. Staff within that department are excited to explore options for greywater storage and usage. It is anticipated that the leadership shown by Residential Housing will be able to serve as a model for future construction practices at Ohio University.
Progress Overview: Design and Construction, Office of Sustainability and the Office of Recycling and Refuse are collaborating to develop amendments to the university’s current Design Standards. These amendments would include the prohibition of irrigation systems that utilize potable water. University irrigation practices currently utilize a greywater system through a retention pond at the university golf course. Additional greywater systems will need to exist to maintain environmentally preferable practices.
Next Steps: Various entities across campus will continue to work together to develop formalized design standards that explicitly prohibit this action that is currently practiced on our campus. Additionally, plans created by Residential Housing will assist in future developments in this areas.
What is potable water and why is it such a big deal? Although a foreign term to many Americans, potable water (pronounced pote-able) simply refers to water that is safe for human consumption. The Safe Drinking Water Act, passed by Congress in 1974, is the law that ensures that safe drinking water in America is, in fact, safe. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets the standards that water needs to pass in order to be considered potable water. Although non-potable water is not safe for human consumption, it does not mean that it has no use. Non-potable water can come from various sources, including rainwater runoff, air conditioner condensate, and greywater collection. Greywater refers to water that has been used for another purpose, such as to run an appliance (dishwasher, shower, washing machine) or to wash your hands or do the dishes. It cannot include human, organic or toxic waste. Once the water has been used, it is no longer safe to drink but can be re-used in other ways in place of potable water. Irrigating lawns, trees, and gardens and flushing a toilet are all activities that can safely use nonpotable water, thus preserving safe drinking water for its’ intended purpose. Benchmark 13 indicates that Ohio University is making an effort to avoid using potable water for any permanent irrigation system on campus. Although this is a large-scale effort, individuals can do their part to conserve potable water use in their own homes by substituting for non-potable water when appropriate. Small-scale efforts might include a rainwater collection barrel or air conditioner condensate collection system to use throughout the yard for irrigation purposes. The air conditioner condensate collection system is especially useful in warm, humid climates and can salvage multiple gallons per day! A greywater collection system can also be installed indoors and direct the water to be used to flush a toilet. Practices such as these ensure that water that can be re-used is not being unnecessarily wasted.
Reporting Bodies: Design and Construction, Facilities Management, Office of Sustainability
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