YOUR VIEWS Letters to the Editor

Northern Georgia is experiencing an unprecedented drought with no imminent end in sight. Atlanta is so close to running out of water that Gov. Sonny Purdue declared a state of emergency on Oct. 20 and asked President Bush to issue a Federal Disaster Declaration.

Within Atlanta, Tech is the second largest consumer of city water, using approximately 350 million gallons per year to serve 23,500 students, faculty, and staff-more than the population of Forest Park or Decatur.

As such, we need to lead the way in reducing our water consumption in the short term and implementing a long term approach to water conservation. We also must use our technological knowledge and talent base to assist both the city and the state.

To lead our efforts, I have appointed a drought working group that will tap the considerable expertise of our faculty, staff and student body to review our water conservation efforts to date, find ways to dramatically reduce our short term water consumption on campus and develop an outreach plan to assist Metro Atlanta in water conservation. I have asked Marcia Kinstler, director of campus environmental stewardship, to lead this group and report initial recommendations within two weeks.

It is important to note that Tech has been implementing sustainable practices for more than a decade. Eleven of our newest facilities are built to sustainable architecture standards. Our new LEED buildings are approaching water neutrality. Recycling water wherever possible, selecting drought-tolerant plants, implementing water-efficient designs and equipment and planning for water conservation in all new construction and renovations are integral to our efforts.

Since 2001 we have increased the square footage of our campus facilities by approximately 25 percent while holding our water usage at 2001 levels. This accomplishment resulted from low flow shower heads in 80 percent of our residence halls and low flow toilets and faucets in 75 percent of our bathrooms. We also eliminated leaking cooling towers and improved steam line efficiency by up to 80 percent during this period.

As the drought deepened we have taken additional measures. This summer we began collecting air conditioner condensate to irrigate critical landscape areas. We're also switching to well water for use in our central heating and cooling plants, which may allow us to reduce our consumption of city water by up to 30 percent. Of course we have complied with state restrictions to turn off our fountains and plant irrigation systems.

Our situation is serious and each of us needs to take personal responsibility for conserving our precious water supply. Our remaining use of city water is within our laboratories, bathrooms, laundries, and kitchens. I urge each of you to reduce your personal water usage.

In the lab, limit water usage to the maximum extent feasible for research-related activities. In the restroom, limit your time in the shower and do not leave the water running while washing hands, brushing teeth or shaving. Operate dish and clothes washers with full loads only. Every drop of water we save matters.

G. Wayne Clough

Institute President