Spring Break
Legion Pool opens despite drought
By LAURA SPEAGLE
Issue date: 6/12/08 Section: News
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Because of the ban on outdoor water use, only critical plants are given water from Lake Herrick, and new landscaping is not allowed, Ken Crowe, director of energy services, said.
Legion Pool, however, opened May 22, with the exemption of swimming pools granted in February by Gov. Sonny Perdue.
Greg Albanese, operations manager for the department of campus life, stressed the importance of the pool to members of the University.
"Especially with gas prices being what they are, Legion Pool pretty much becomes their main summer activity," Albanese wrote in an e-mail.
Although the pool uses a large amount of water, it does have low flow valves in the restrooms and showers, he said.
By the end of 2008, all plumbing fixtures on campus should be converted to low flow models, Crowe said.
Research buildings, such as Miller Plant Sciences, which uses the most water at the University, have had cooling systems converted to units that recycle water.
The monthly water and sewer bill for Miller Plant Sciences has gone from $12,899.19 during May through June 2007 to $4,420.84 during March through April 2008.
After converting the 21 cooling units, Crowe said it is possible to convert new systems in other buildings in the coming months.
From November 2007 to April 2008, the University reduced water by 23 percent - 52.8 million gallons. Approximately 60 percent of that reduction - 31.6 million gallons - was saved in research buildings.
The University continues to make and exceed the 10 percent reduction goal ordered by Perdue, Crowe said.
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