Tolbert Hall wins 2012 water usage competition

March 2, 2012

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Tolbert Hall has won the “2012 Eco-Challenge: Battle of the Halls” water usage competition in University of Florida residence halls.

Tolbert residents saved 16.51 gallons of water per resident, per day in January 2012 compared with January 2011 usage. This is a savings of 144,463 gallons of water in Tolbert Hall for January 2012.

This year, 14 out of 24 residence hall communities at UF used less water per resident, per day during the competition. The water savings ranged from slight to impressive, from .07 to 16.51 less gallons of water per resident, per day in these halls. Nine halls used more gallons of water per resident, per day in the .07 to 7.66 more gallons per resident, per day range. One hall had disqualified meter readings for the comparison time periods.

“The purpose of the Inter-Residence Hall Association Eco-Challenge: Battle of the Halls is to encourage awareness of lifestyle changes that can save resources as well as save money,” said Britany Ziems, director of IRHA Environmental Concerns. “These choices positively impact our environment and provide lifelong benefits to UF students.”

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

The “Eco-Challenge: Battle of the Halls” competitions are co-sponsored by the Inter-Residence Hall Association and the Department of Housing and Residence Education Green Team, Gator Dining Services, and the UF Office of Sustainability. The winners of the energy challenge and overall winner will be announced in March. The winning residence hall communities will be recognized at UF Earth Day April 6.