DOING OUR PART
WATER CONSERVATION ON CAMPUS
Cornell is currently in a Water Use Restriction as a result of a severe summer-long drought.
This is Stage 2 of a three stage emergency drought response. Limiting water use is
necessary to ensure the region has enough clean water for hospitals and other basic services.
Think Big | Live Green is how we practice our sustainability as a community – how will you
contribute to ideas on water conservation, and live sustainably, during the drought?
The Facts

We are in the worst drought in Ithaca’s history, so it is up to every member of the campus to pitch in and
conserve water!

The water conservation period should last about 5 weeks (at least end of September)

Cornell shares water resources with the City of Ithaca and other regional partners. We are all in this
together to find creative solutions to reduce water use across our homes, halls, and landscapes.

Everyone on campus is required to cease watering lawns and plantings, washing buildings or cars, and
using water for recreational purposes. (Some lawns are still being watered with reclaimed water!)

Cornell needs to reduce our daily water use by ½ a million gallons a day. For the residence halls, that
means we need to reduce about 7,500 gallons in each building, every day! That is a LOT of water!

Where do we use the most water? Leaks, toilets, showers, laundry, and basic energy needs.
How to Conserve
We need every community member to take the following actions, every day!
Reduce Energy:
It takes A LOT of water keep
the lights on! Turn off lights, use energy smart powerstrips, low-energy lightbulbs, and power-saving
settings on computers. Tips on reducing energy can
be found in the Student Green Guide and Campus
Sustainability website.
Report Leaks:
Report any water problems such
as a running toilet, leaking faucet, or other issues with
water waste you see on campus. Talk to your RA or
search online for the facilities work order request form.
Save up to 100s gallon day
Shorten
Showers: Showers should be
shortened to 3-5 minutes when possible. One of the
best ways to conserve is turning off the water as you
lather hair or body, or shave. Save 25 gallons
day/person
Toilets: Toilets are huge water hogs! Prioritize use
of low-flush toilets in your building (indicated by a dualflush handle), and don’t flush for any reason other than
disposing of human waste. Save 19 gallons day/person
Faucets:
Turn off water when brushing teeth,
shaving, and washing your hands. While washing
dishes – scrub first, then a quick hot water rinse. Save
3-6 gallons day/person
Laundry: Wash only full loads of laundry, and only
use cold water. Team up with other floor members to
create full loads. Save 15 gallons / load
Every Drop Counts: Try 1-2 actions each day.
Don't worry if the savings is minimal. Every drop counts.
Every person can make a difference.
Get Creative: Collect the water you use while rinsing fruits and vegetables. Use it to water plants. What else can you
think of? Submit your ideas on the Campus Sustainability Website – every idea helps us save water together!
More Information: sustainablecampus.cornell.edu/initiatives/drought-information
Water usage data for the campus, tips on conservation, and important updates
@sustaincornell
FB: Sustainable Cornell