Friday, March 22 marks World Water Day, an annual United Nations Observance since 1999, focusing on the importance of fresh water.
A core purpose of the observance is to support the achievement of Sustainable Goal Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030.
Ranked among the top 10 universities in the world for sustainability in 2023, “Western recognizes the importance of clean, fresh, water for individuals, our community and the environment,” said Heather Hyde, director of Western Sustainability.
Over the past 25 years, even as the number of buildings and community members has increased, there have been focused efforts to see Western’s total volume of water consumption decrease.
“We are committed to conserving water and seeking innovative ways to manage consumption, through efficiency upgrades such as low-flow fixtures, greater management, low-irrigation landscaping and improvements to cooling systems,” Hyde said.
This World Water Day, Western News provides a wrap up of some of the water conservation, education, research and advocacy efforts underway across campus.
Water efficiency upgrades
Facilities Management plumbers test 651 backflow devices annually. Each unit provides an added layer of protection for Western’s drinking water that may result from backflow conditions or a drop in pressure.
Western’s power plant uses a multi-purpose greywater system which has mitigated 10 million litres of municipal water since 2017. Water used to rinse equipment is captured and reused for blowdown tanks, chilled water make-up, and other auxiliary services.
Recent water efficiency upgrades include the installation of three new Urimat waterless urinals at the Faculty of Education building, as part of a pilot project.
Recent water efficiency upgrades include the installation of three new Urimat waterless urinals at the Faculty of Education building, as part of a pilot project. (Facilities management photo)
Located in the men’s washroom near the main entrance, the units replaced three existing urinals that had failed recessed flush valves.
“The required replacement provided the opportunity for us to look at alternatives,” said Bryan Wakefield, director, facilities operations.
The new urinal bowls are 100 per cent recyclable with an integrated, chemical-free, microbiological cleaning system.
The project was led by Oliver Godbout, manager, plumbing and fitting services.
“After eliminating the use of flush-style fixtures at this location, we’re conserving approximately 300,000 litres of water per year,” Godbout said.
Drought-resistant landscapes
With zero irrigation systems on campus, Western’s Landscape Services continues to reduce the number of high-water requirement plantings in favour of drought-tolerant alternatives.
Western’s first naturalized rain garden, located in front of the Physics and Astronomy Building features low-maintenance native plants, including coneflower, Joe-pye weed and Christmas fern, which help naturally absorb rainwater into the ground instead of having excess storm water and snow melts runoff into the storm sewers.
Western’s first naturalized rain garden, located in front of the Physics and Astronomy Building. (Western Sustainability photo)
Respect and protect the river
In April 2023, students, faculty, Indigenous community members and representatives from the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority gathered on the banks of Medway Creek to plant 200 native shrubs and 100 tree cuttings. The live stake planting event was part of a Campus as a Living Lab project to resist erosion, mitigate flooding and improve water quality for years to come.
In a Western’s Campus as a Living Lab project, a live staking event took place on the banks of Medway Creek, where 200 native shrubs and 100 tree cuttings were planted to resist erosion and minimize flooding. (Steven Anderson/Western Communications photo)
‘Refill. Rehydrate. Repeat.’
Western’s ‘Refill. Rehydrate. Repeat.’ campaign began in all residences in September 2023, encouraging students to opt for reusable water bottles to minimize the impact of plastic waste on the environment.
Since, the sale of plastic-bottled still water has been discontinued in all campus eateries operated by Hospitality Services and at The Spoke and the Wave, operated by the University Student’s Council. Bottled water is also no longer available at The Grad Club, operated by the Society of Graduate Students.
Discussions are continuing with franchise eateries, with a goal of making the entire campus completely bottle-free by this fall.
More than 200 water refill stations have been installed across Western’s campus since the fall. Sample tracking at selected water stations adjacent to campus eateries show a 3.5 per cent increase in the number of bottles being filled since the beginning of January 2024.
Western has been promoting its bottle-free campus, encouraging students to use water stations located across campus. (Housing and Ancillary Services photo)
Water research
As global demands for water escalate, the management, recovery, and preservation of this vital resource become increasingly more urgent.
WesternWater Centre is focused on creating innovative solutions to address all aspects related to clean water supply and water-environment issues.
Alongside industry partners, researchers in the Faculty of Engineering work with students to create real-world solutions for the management and treatment of water supplies, and the remediation of wastewater, literally creating energy and reclaiming resources from waste.
Engineering professor Slobodan Simonovic developed the first Canada-wide maps showing how floodplains may become inundated in the next 80 years under various climate change scenarios.
WaterAid Western
WaterAid Western is a student chapter of the non-profit global organization WaterAid. The club’s purpose is to engage students in discussion and activities related to clean water and sanitation issues.
The club is hosting its annual Sustainability Conference Saturday, March 23, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in the Weldon Community Room. The 2024 conference theme is Powering a Sustainable Tomorrow and will feature a panel discussion with geography and environment chair and professor Katrina Moser and Jessica Cordes, engagement coordinator for Western Sustainability. The conference is supported by the Western Sustainable Impact Fund.
WaterAid club leaders (left) Megan Somerville and Elline Zhuge show off stickers designed by club members, which were sold as a fundraiser. (Christopher Kindratsky/Western Communications photo)
“This conference helps bring like-minded people together and creates the opportunity for learning and sharing, both from each other, and experts in sustainability,” said Western WaterAid president Megan Somerville. “These conversations are so important, and our club is proud to create a welcoming environment where students can do just that.”
