Weaver Hall wins Battle of the Halls water usage competition

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Weaver Hall is the winner of the 2010 “Eco-Challenge: Battle of the Halls” water usage competition in University of Florida residence halls. Weaver residents saved 23.26 gallons of water per resident, per day, in January, compared with average water usage from February and March 2009. This is a savings of 122,580 gallons of water in Weaver Hall during January.

This year, 18 of 24 residence hall communities used less water per resident, per day, during the competition. The water savings ranged from slight to impressive, from 1.52 to 23.26 less gallons of water per resident, per day. One hall used slightly more gallons of water, 7.95 more gallons per resident, per day. Five halls had disqualified or missing meter readings for the comparison time periods.

Campus-wide cost savings, as a result of this competition, were moderate and are viewed in the context of a year-long budget for utilities. The utility charges campus residents pay are a pass-through cost included in semester rent. Utility charges for the fiscal year are set each March and are based on usage averages established over many years and the prevailing water rates charged by local utility providers.

“Our Eco-Challenge contests focus on saving resources rather than on saving money,” said Sharon Blansett, Housing Green Team captain. “We encourage residents to practice behaviors that will reduce their environmental footprint now and in the future.”

“Eco-Challenge: Battle of the Halls” competitions are cosponsored by the Inter-Residence Hall Association and the Department of Housing and Residence Education Green Team. The winners of the energy challenge and overall winner will be announced later in March. The winning residence hall communities will be recognized campus-wide prior to Finals Week.

Credits: Sharon Blansett, SharonB@housing.ufl.edu