Bar left Bar right


Water at Work

Drinking Water

  • Use a water filter and a reusable container or cup to drink tap water or water from the drinking fountain rather than purchasing bottled water.

  • Dispose of water left in bottles and cups by pouring it on office plants.

  • Store a pitcher or other container of water in the refrigerator and keep some reusable cups on hand so that office mates and visitors can hydrate without the plastic bottle waste.

 

  • Contact PPD about retrofitting your water fountain with a fixture for filling cups and containers more easily.

Sinks & Taps
  • Use a plug in the sink for washing dishes.

  • Make sure that faucets are turned off all the way and promptly report leaky faucets and toilets to the PPD Work Management.


Toilets
  • Don’t use the toilet as a trash can. Throw items other than toilet tissue in the waste receptacle.

  • Report leaking toilets as soon as you notice them (call 392-1121).

Stormwater

  • Don’t throw anything into storm drains. These lead directly to creeks or to Lake Alice, and ultimately our aquifer.

  • If you commute to UF by car, be sure to check for fluid leaks regularly. Leaking fluids, such as oil or coolant, can contaminate surface and ground water.

  • If your department is planning a new landscape, encourage the use of native plants, and work with UF’s Grounds staff to ensure that Florida-Friendly landscaping practices are implemented.


Awareness
  • Take an inventory – choose one full day to pay attention to your water use on an average day and identify where you could reduce your use.

 

  • Report irrigation related problems, e.g., broken sprinklers, lines, or sprinkler systems running for an excessive amount of time to PPD Work Management.





QuickFacts

  • Floridians are the second highest for the consumption of water nationwide.  Over 50% of that water is being used on lawns and landscapes.  (SJRWMD)
  • Making bottles to meet America's demand for bottled water uses more than 1.5 million barrels of oil annually, enough to fuel 100,000 cars for a year. And that's not even including the oil used for transportation. (Earth Policy Inst.)