News of the Arroyo
Title: | Water conservation message hits colleges |
Subtitle: | |
Date: | 2007-10-16 |
Summary: | October 16, 2007 - College students are being enlisted in the campaign to improve conservation techniques. |
Author: | Tracy Garcia, Staff Writer |
Publication: | Whitter Daily News |
Content: | In the midst of a record dry year, facing the possibility of water shortages in 2008, local and national conservation experts are tapping into a new source to get their message across: college students. From Whittier College to Cal Poly Pomona and Pasadena City College, students and professors will spend the better part of the next year coming up with easy, affordable ways to use water more efficiently in order to win one of 18 grants worth $10,000 apiece. The competition is called the World Water Forum, and it is sponsored by UNICEF, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. \"Since 1983, we\'ve had a K-12 education program. But this year, what we really thought is that we\'ve left the college community as sort of untapped,\" said Russ Donnelly, Metropolitan\'s manager of educational programs. \"By reaching out (to them), we can involve young people and the faculty in our effort to develop conservation prototypes for the future in saving water,\" Donnelly said. The idea is for teams of college students, in conjunction with faculty, to research, develop and communicate water-use efficiency technology that can be used cost-effectively in water-stressed regions, whether locally or internationally. The colleges have until December to complete their grant application, and the 18 proposals selected to receive the $10,000 should be announced in early 2008. At Whittier College, professor Cheryl Swift and student Juliette Donatelli attended the World Water Forum kick off Friday in downtown Los Angeles, and were already brainstorming ideas for their proposal on the drive back to campus. \"I think our focus is going to be on coming up with a plan to communicate to our students what small changes they can make in their lifestyle habits to save water,\" Swift said. \"And with the money we save, we could donate that globally and help people around the world gain access to clean water,\" she said. \"Then maybe the rest of the community could learn these lifestyle changes and also make a difference for people.\" Cal Poly Pomona professor Ramesh Kumar said his team of students is considering a proposal for an irrigation system that adjusts according to the weather. \"That\'s one thing you always see in the neighborhoods - people program their irrigation (systems) once a year, whether it\'s raining or sunny,\" Kumar said. \"There are a few manufacturers who make them now but the public just doesn\'t know about it,\" he said. \"So maybe we\'ll work on collecting information on who makes this and whether it\'s something the water district or we can do to publicize it.\" Monica Palacios, a staffer in PCC\'s natural sciences division, said there are about 14 students already signed up for the competition this year, and they\'re hoping to recruit more students and faculty from the geography or geology divisions as well. \"People aren\'t really aware of what they\'re getting into until they get involved with these kinds of projects, where you go behind the scenes,\" Palacios said. \"But I think Metropolitan is doing a wonderful job of making people aware of the troubles they\'re heading into if we don\'t start doing something to save.\" Ultimately, Donnelly says he hopes the competition will leave a \"distinct impression\" on the students and inspire some to enter the environmental industry. tracy.garcia@sgvn.com (562) 698-0955, Ext. 3051 |
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