WHERE DOES WATER COME FROM?
Groundwater
Groundwater is created naturally by rains and snow melt as water seeps through the surface layers of the ground and is stored in the pore spaces between soil and rock. The location in which water is stored is called an aquifer. The proximity of available water to the ground surface varies widely across the globe.
In the United States, groundwater provides about 21% of the water we use. It provides 51% of the general population’s drinking water but 99% of that of rural populations. Groundwater is also important in agriculture as 37% of it provides irrigation to crops. Roughly 5% of our groundwater resources have been tapped dry and our remaining groundwater is threatened by pollution from landfills, pesticides, and sewage leaks.
Surface Water
Surface water is stored in lakes, rivers, streams, and reservoirs8 and is used largely for drinking water, irrigation, and thermoelectric power. It is replenished by rainfall that drains into streams and rivers and flows into a larger body of water. All the surface water that flows into one larger reservoir is said to be within a watershed.
In 2000, 79% of all water used in the United States was from a surface water source. We use roughly 323 billion gallons of surface water per day.
WHAT IS SEWANEE'S SOURCE OF WATER?
The water running through your taps and toilets is provided by Lakes O’Donnell, Jackson, and Dimmick. Lakes O’Donnell and Jackson are our primary sources of water. Dimmick is reserved for more dire circumstances and has not been tapped since 1987.
In 2006, faculty, students, and the community rallied against the proposed development of Lake Dimmick into a residential area. The voices of opposition were loud and clear: developing Dimmick promised the ruin of the biodiversity of the lake and threatened the emergency supply of community drinking water that the lake provides. The Board of Regents has so far voted in favor of the community voice and has postponed any development on Dimmick.
Decreasing your water consumption
WHAT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN?
Sewanee has made several large steps towards water conservation. The low-flow showerheads featured across campus are a direct result of a student initiated change and use about 1.5 gallons per minute. Low flow toilets have been installed across campus. These use only roughly 1.5 gallons per flush. Water use in Cannon was found to have decreased 60% in the month of August from 2004 to 2005 partly due to the installation of waterless urinals. Improved plumbing has also minimized leaks and reduced our water consumptions.
Since 1985, the Sewanee Utility District has used a spray irrigation system that provides a clever way of dealing with wastewater. The water is contained within 3 lagoons that naturally break down the wastes. The water is further treated through bleaching and is then sprayed onto a forest where it helps increase growth.
DID YOU KNOW?
- Sewanee goes through 320,000 gallons of water daily but this number can reach up to 500,000 gallons daily during winter months
- We use about 10 million gallons of water monthly
- On any given day during the school year, each student consumes about 71.4 gallons of water
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
In Sewanee, make sure to:
- Take shorter showers
- Let it mellow if it’s yellow
- Turn off the water when you brush your teeth or shave
- Wash laundry only if you have a full load
- Report leaky sinks to PPS
Outside of the bubble, strive to also:
- Buy utilities that are water efficient
