Limited local water supplies and recent droughts have highlighted the need to reduce water consumption across campus.
Carolina is continually increasing water use efficiency with technology upgrades such as waterfree urinals and low-flow fixtures, and has further reduced water consumption with behavioral changes.
On a larger scale, the University is partnering with Orange County Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA) to install a water reclamation and reuse system which will reduce water demand in Chapel Hill by 10%.
Carolina also manages stormwater, water from storms that is not absorbed and turns into runoff. The University has developed a comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan and has incorporated stormwater mitigation technologies such as green roofs and porous pavement in construction projects throughout campus.
To learn more about UNC’s water management efforts, use the following resources.