| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 60.77 |
| Liaison | Breeana Sylvas |
| Submission Date | April 15, 2013 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of California, Merced
IN-2: Innovation 2
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
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A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
The approximately 565 students living in the Valley Terraces on-campus residence hall competed as communities in a month long water conservation competition called the UC Merced Water Battle 2011. The hall that saved the most water per person during the competition won a pizza party, prizes and $1,000 to donate to a local nonprofit organization.
The student group Green Campus planned and organized the contest, along with UC Merced sustainability leaders, the student chapter of Engineers for a Sustainable World and Los Gatos, CA-based startup company Aquacue Inc. Aquacue Barnacle, a flow monitoring and data-transmitting device attached to each hall’s water meter allowed students to check real-time water usage and hall rankings on a website and their smartphones. This event is believed to be the first use of this technology in a campus residence hall setting.
Almost 90,000 gallons of water were saved in the month of October through the campaign. The groups continue to have a presence on Facebook and the Aquacue website to track and encourage continued water conservation.
Campus press release
http://www.ucmerced.edu/news/students-clash-month-long-battle-save-water
Campus video
http://www.ucmerced.edu/video/impact-students-put-new-twist-water-conservation-contest
Student video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wL2-yWOmJE
UCM water battle is finalist in White House "Campus Champions of Change Challenge"
https://campuschallenge.uservoice.com/forums/148562-campus-champions-of-change-challenge
UCM's ASE Green Campus student interns win energy savings for social media & digital media in water conservation
(Note: this recognition is for a spring 2012 national energy and water conservation competition) http://ase.org/efficiencynews/2012-campus-conservation-nationals-green-campus-students-win-big-saving-energy
Local media coverage of fall 2011 residence hall water competition
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=news%2Feducation&id=8404497
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2011/10/11/2077526/new-devices-contest-will-help.html
http://www.modbee.com/2011/10/21/1914831/new-meters-contest-to-track-uc.html
http://us.cisionpoint.com/BouncingBallVideoPassThrough.aspx?locator=6-29560F48C2-114C943-113E22B
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A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
None
The website URL where information about the innovation is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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