Meeting Summary May 8, 2012

Transcription

1 Meeting Summary May 8, 2012 Council members present: Robert M. Specter, Vice President for Administrative Affairs & CFO (Chair) Mahlon Straszheim, Associate Provost, Academic Affairs Steve Hutcheson, Professor, Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics Ross Salawitch, Professor, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Thomas Zeller, Associate Professor, History Scott Lupin, Associate Director, Environmental Safety and Director, Office of Sustainability Joan Kowal, Energy Manager, Facilities Management Bryan Quinn, Director of Technical Operations, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Matthew Popkin, Undergraduate Student, Government and Politics Monette Bailey, Senior Writer/Editor, University Relations Matthias Ruth, Professor, School of Public Policy Guests: Russell Furr, Director, Environmental Safety Meeting start time: 1:00 pm Meeting Highlights Minutes Approved Meeting minutes from March 16, 2012 Council meeting were approved. Bottled Water Workgroup Recommendations Continued Discussion At the request of the Council, the Office of Sustainability (OS) provided more information on the estimated cost (dollars and effort) of the Bottled Water Workgroup recommendations. The Office of Sustainability also provided its own recommendations based on information gathering for the Workgroup recommendations. See Appendix A for additional OS research results and Recommendations. See Appendix B for approved recommendations with amendments. Recommendation 1 Adopt the State of Maryland standard for bottled water purchasing which says that State funds should not be used to purchase bottled water. The Council had significant discussion concerning the State guidelines stating that State Funds not be used to purchase bottled water where public water is available except for safety and emergency situations. OS tentatively supported the state and Bottled Water Workgroup s recommendation to adopt the State s approach, but expressed concern about consumer backlash and the negative affect that would have on other campus sustainability efforts. Council members also expressed a

2 number of concerns about creating a campus wide ban. Rather, many members were interested in providing choice and creating attractive alternatives to bottled water. Rob Specter reminded the Council that we are in the business of teaching students to make informed decisions and to evaluate the choices in front of them. Scott Lupin highlighted the significant federal regulation of public water supplies under the safe Drinking Water Act and recommended an education program on the safety of tap water rather than creating a ban. Council rejected Recommendation 1. Recommendation 2 Form a Water Filling Station Committee The Council discussed the benefit of establishing a water filling station workgroup to fulfill the stated goals. However, Scott Lupin stated that UMD has not conducted sufficient research to determine whether retrofitting water filling stations will materially reduce bottled water consumption and has not reviewed the success/barriers encountered by other organization who have implemented similar approaches. The Council concurred that the Committee should be formed, but additional research should be completed. The Council also agreed that the Committee should include within its goals the development of a limited testing schedule to determine the proper frequency of filter replacement associated with retrofitted water filling stations. Council accepted Recommendation 2 as amended. See Appendix B. Recommendation 3 Develop an education and outreach campaign for drinking water on campus The Council agreed that this recommendation should go forward. Council accepted Recommendation 3. Recommendation 4 Promote use of reusable bottles and containers at athletic events The Council discussed the fact that this recommendation presents possible safety concerns and a potential loss of revenue. The Council wants Athletics to take up this recommendation and determine feasible approaches that satisfy competing concerns while encouraging a reduction in bottled water consumption at Athletic events. Council accepted Recommendation 4. Recommendation 5 Reduce bottled water offerings at catered events Council accepted Recommendation 5. Recommendation 6 Develop and implement a comprehensive chemical and physical testing program for tap water on campus, in conjunction with the education program on the purity of tap water The Office of Sustainability provided information and links to Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) annual tap water analysis reports which are required under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. The Council did not support a broad testing approach, but rather, the establishment of a limited monitoring program for taste parameters and to confirm an appropriate filter replacement schedule. Council rejected Recommendation 6. 2

3 University Sustainability Fund Matthew Popkin presented two updates from the Student Advisory Subcommittee, which recommended new funding to the Public Health Garden for $26,756 and a reallocation of funding to new activities for Trash for Treasure in the amount of $1600. Both updates were approved by the Council. Recognition of Outgoing Council Members Rob Specter thanked members of the Council for their efforts this year including those whose terms will end in August 2012: Matthias Ruth, Thomas Zeller, Matthew Popkin and Ian Page. Adjourn: 3:15 pm 3

4 DRAFT Appendix A Bottled Water at UMD Recommendations to the Sustainability Council Bottled Water Review Committee Recommendation 1 Adopt the State of Maryland guidelines for bottled water purchasing State funds should not be used to purchase bottled water for use in facilities that are served by public water supplies or potable well water, except when required for safety, health, or emergency situations. Agencies that currently purchase bottled water for use in such facilities should notify employee unions and negotiate, if necessary, regarding the change in policy. Facilities served by public water or potable well water should have drinking fountains, bottle-less coolers and tall spigots for refilling reusable containers located conveniently throughout the facility. Buildings may need to have these added to make use of tap water more convenient. Appropriate filters should be installed as needed to eliminate any taste, odor or contaminant problems for the water going to drinking fountains and tall spigots. Proposed deadline: FY 2014 (July, 2013) Update: What are State Funds? The Office of Sustainability contacted the Comptroller s Office to better define this term. In essence, any funds coming through a UMD unit s books may be considered State Funds regardless of the source of funds. Office of Sustainability Recommendation OS recommends adopting the state bottled water guidelines by eliminating the use of the term State funds and integrating straightforward language specific to the University of Maryland. The statement below was reviewed with assistance from Rob Platky, Assistant VP and Director of Budgets, and eliminates the issue of fund sources. No University unit should purchase bottled water where public water is readily available except when required for safety, health or emergency situations. Facilities served by public water or potable well water should have water filling stations located conveniently throughout the facility. Buildings may need to have these added to make use of tap water more convenient. OS recommends that the implementation date be January 2014.

5 Bottled Water Review Committee Recommendation 2 Form a Water Filling Station Committee Research standardized filling station hardware in order to retrofit existing water fountains with both bottle filling apparatus and water filtration. Identify locations for installation of bottle filling stations and develop a prioritization list. Identify costs, funding source, and an implementation schedule. Develop a Master Contract, or similar document, for the purchase of filling station hardware Develop standardized signage and messaging Develop an equitable filter maintenance schedule Provide guidance to a maintenance team from FM/Res. Facilities who will complete the installations. Provide guidance/standardization to MaryPIRG and other groups who have received funding for filling stations. Assess opportunities/costs to provide metering on some filling stations. Committee Membership: FM Residential Facilities Stamp Student Union Athletics Dining Services Libraries Office of Sustainability Can chair or coordinate Students Proposed deadline: FY2013 (January, 2013) Update: OS recognizes that the Bottled Water Review Committee conducted limited research regarding the success of water filling station retrofits and changes in tap water usage. Additional research is warranted. In addition, the following cost estimate information has been obtained from FM and the Stamp Student Union relative to water filling station replacement and retrofitting. Water Filling Station Replacement Equipped with Carbon Filtration and Bottle Filling Apparatus FM HVAC Systems has identified and installed a unit manufactured by Halsey Taylor - Installation - $3, % administration fee; Maintenance - $150 per filter replacement 2x per year. Water Filling Station Retrofit (Addition of Carbon Filtration and Bottle Filling Apparatus) Bottle filling hardware, in-line water filters plus miscellaneous hardware- Installation approximately $300, plus labor. Maintenance - $150 per filter replacement 2x per year. 2

6 Office of Sustainability Recommendation The Office of Sustainability recommends that a Water Filling Station Workgroup be formed for the purposes outlined by the Workgroup. OS also recommends that additional research be conducted of other colleges and universities to identify information that may be useful to the Water Filling Station Workgroup. OS recommends that this Workgroup present a proposed plan, implementation schedule and budget to the VPAA by November 1, It is recommended that modification of water filling stations begin no later than January Bottled Water Review Committee Recommendation 3 Develop an education and outreach campaign for drinking water on campus Work with the Water Filling Station Committee on standardized signage and messaging Develop communications and an outreach plan Implement the communication and outreach plan Proposed deadline: January 1, 2013 (campaign to correspond with rollout of water filling stations). Office of Sustainability Recommendation OS recommends the creation of an Education and Outreach campaign that educates the campus population on the safety of our municipal water supply. It is proposed that the campaign be led by OS and launched by January Bottled Water Review Committee Recommendation 4 Promote use of reusable bottles and containers at athletic events Allow clear and empty reusable bottles at athletic events Sponsor Green Athletic Events at which choices of water sources are available, among other sustainability-related practices Develop a logistical plan for approving and inspecting reusable bottles at athletic events. Deadline: FY2013 (January 1, 2013) Office of Sustainability Recommendation OS supports the recommendation that Athletics determines the feasibility and implications of allowing empty, reusable bottles at athletic events. If feasible, it is recommended that Athletics modify the current practice no later than September

7 Bottled Water Review Committee Recommendation 5 Reduce bottled water offerings at catered events Good Tidings should amend the Cold Beverage Break option to offer: Perrier, Assorted Sodas, and Water, making it an opt-in request for bottled water if that is so desired. University of Maryland catering services should explore options to provide non-bottled water at their events, if feasible, for the venue and event being catered. Deadline: FY2013 (January 1, 2013) Office of Sustainability Recommendation OS supports this recommendation and the proposed implementation date. It is recommended that Dining Services lead this effort with support from OS. 4

8 Bottled Water Review Committee Recommendation 6 Develop and implement a comprehensive chemical and physical testing program for tap water on campus, in conjunction with the education program on the purity of tap water To provide easily understood information and data on the purity of drinking water from taps and filter stations on campus, which will provide a sound base for individuals to make informed choices on the consumption of water on campus. A systematic and comprehensive testing and inspection of all water fountains and faucets should be carried out, to include temperature, clarity, taste, and dissolved chemicals. All locations that fail (based on criteria to be determined) should be immediately scheduled for remediation. From the online survey, clearly there is demand for bottle-fill stations (or water fountains that can easily fill a normal sized bottle) in the academic and research buildings. There should be at least one of these per floor in each academic and research building. Upon completion of the whole-campus testing, an educational campaign should be run that highlights the testing and certification of all campus water outlets, and advertise the variety of locations to easily fill a water bottle. All units should be surveyed to see if and why they have water jugs (5-gallon cooler, e.g. Deer Park) subscriptions. This may highlight the need for additional water fountain / bottlefilling locations, or buildings with a particularly bad perception of water quality. It also provides a metric to follow progress toward zero bottled water on campus. Proposed deadline: FY2014 (February 1, 2014) Update: Water Filling Stations on Campus According to HVAC systems, between 3,000 and 4,000 water fountains on campus, but the actual number is not known. HVAC Systems has installed charcoal filtration in 115 on campus. The federal Safe Drinking Water Act imposes significant water quality standards, testing and reporting on public water suppliers. According to the USEPA, the WSSC (water supplier to UMD) has had no violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act in the past 5 years. WSSC publishes annual tap water analysis reports on their website ( The reports include an annual average value, maximum and minimum for 10 general water quality indicators, 23 metals, 8 inorganic chemicals, 2 natural organics, total organic carbon, 43 pesticides and synthetic organic chemicals, 54 volatile organic chemicals, 4 radionuclides, as well as data on monitoring for copper and lead in customer taps and bacteria in the distribution system. According to the Department of Environmental Safety, laboratory analysis for all drinking water parameters is approximately $475 per sample plus approximately $150 per sample for collection and data management. Analysis of lead, copper and residual chlorine (only) is $30 per sample plus labor. 5

9 Office of Sustainability Recommendation OS and DES do not support wholesale testing of water filling stations on campus because it is duplicative of the current and regular testing being done by the WSSC for compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act. In addition, resources are not available for such an effort and sampling only provides point-in-time results that are quickly dated. OS does support a limited water quality monitoring program for filling stations equipped with charcoal filters. The purpose of the sampling is to confirm the adequacy of filter replacement. It is recommended that the Water Filling Station Workgroup include a monitoring plan as part of its recommendations. 6

10 DRAFT Appendix B Bottled Water at UMD Recommendations from the Sustainability Council Bottled Water Review Committee Recommendation 2 Form a Water Filling Station Committee Research standardized filling station hardware in order to retrofit existing water fountains with both bottle filling apparatus and water filtration. Research other colleges and universities to identify information that may be useful to the Water Filling Station Workgroup Identify locations for installation of bottle filling stations and develop a prioritization list. Identify costs, funding source, and an implementation schedule. Develop a Master Contract, or similar document, for the purchase of filling station hardware Develop standardized signage and messaging Develop an equitable filter maintenance schedule Provide guidance to a maintenance team from FM/Res. Facilities who will complete the installations. Provide guidance/standardization to MaryPIRG and other groups who have received funding for filling stations. Assess opportunities/costs to provide metering on some filling stations. Develop testing schedule for taste (Cl) and filter replacement schedule. Committee Membership: FM Residential Facilities Stamp Student Union Athletics Dining Services Libraries Office of Sustainability Can chair or coordinate Students Proposed deadline: FY2013 (January, 2013)

11 Bottled Water Review Committee Recommendation 3 Develop an education and outreach campaign for drinking water on campus Work with the Water Filling Station Committee on standardized signage and messaging Develop communications and an outreach plan Implement the communication and outreach plan Share State policy recommendation on the purchase of bottled water Proposed deadline: January 1, 2013 (campaign to correspond with rollout of water filling stations). Bottled Water Review Committee Recommendation 4 Promote use of reusable bottles and containers at athletic events Athletics to research and make recommendations on allowing clear and empty reusable bottles at athletic events Sponsor Green Athletic Events at which choices of water sources are available, among other sustainability-related practices Develop a logistical plan for approving and inspecting reusable bottles at athletic events. Deadline: FY2013 (January 1, 2013) Bottled Water Review Committee Recommendation 5 Reduce bottled water offerings at catered events Good Tidings should amend the Cold Beverage Break option to offer: Perrier, Assorted Sodas, and Water, making it an opt-in request for bottled water if that is so desired. University of Maryland catering services should explore options to provide non-bottled water at their events, if feasible, for the venue and event being catered. Deadline: FY2013 (January 1, 2013) 2