Water

The University and Statesboro community were recently united in a project to significantly reduce up to 250,000 gallons of drinking water used each day on campus for irrigation.

According to William Cone, Physical Plant project coordinator, the facility’s employees worked in conjunction with the City of Statesboro to install pipes across almost 50 acres of athletic fields including Allen E. Paulson Stadium and the RAC. The water supply originates from Bird’s Pond, a city retention pond on Langston Chapel Road.

“Georgia Southern picked up the city’s reuse supply main near Paulson Stadium, and extended the supply main and an irrigation main along Malecki Drive, crossed Akins Boulevard, and terminated in one of the existing ponds near the RAC,” said Cone. The RAC pond was then converted from storm-water detention to a reuse water supply for irrigating approximately 30,000 square-feet of University fields. According to landscaping manager Brian Hooks, the project enables the campus to reduce its water usage by at least 30,000 gallons per day.

The University’s responsible stewardship and cost-saving strategy of conserving the local drinking water supply effectively promotes environmental awareness among the campus and the community, said Cone.

“Changing the irrigation supply from potable in these high consumption areas will reduce the ever-increasing burden on our groundwater table and drinking water aquifer, and this aids Georgia Southern in reducing its impact on the environment.”

Reuse water is highly treated waste-water that has been treated through several processes to remove organics, solids, and pathogens. Also known as reclaimed water, recycled water, or non-potable water, reuse water provides an economical and environmentally responsible alternative.

Last updated: 2/4/2021