FAMU Installs Filtered Water Units

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Florida A&M University students, faculty and staff can now access filtered water on campus without having to buy it.

The FAMU Office of Facilities Planning and Construction is working to improve student accessibility to pure water through the installation of filtered water stations around campus.

Since the project began in September 2015, six filtered water stations have been installed around campus: four in the Foote-Hilyer Administration building, one in the University Commons and one in the Facilities Planning and Construction Center.

Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Construction Avinash Rahurkar said the installation of the stations were inspired by the need to provide students an affordable way to access water.

“Taking into consideration of our climate and the background of our university, we wanted to make sure students had an affordable option to attaining filtered water. Until now students would have to buy bottled water while on campus, which can be expensive,” Rahurkar said.

Financial savings for students and the university is just one prong of the triple-bottom line sustainability benefits the filtered stations provide. The second involves the effect on humans well-being and the third is the positive effect on the environment.

Rahurkar added that since the stations have been installed, it has prevented almost 50 tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

“Within four months of the stations being installed 4,247 bottles were filled preventing about 48.6 tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Those figures proved that small changes like this can make a big impact,” Rahurkar said.

Third-year accounting student from Jessup, Md. Phylesia Fralin said she uses the filtered fountains regularly because they give assurance of clean water that is not provided with the traditional fountains.

“Not only are the filtered fountains more convenient, they are more affordable and more reliable,” Fralin said.

Rahurkar has a vision of having a filtered station in each building and says student involvement in the movement will expedite the process.

“We are looking to collaborate with students and explore ways to better their experience at FAMU. Every contribution and piece of feedback is useful. If a student wants a filtered station in their building all they have to do is contact us,” Rahurkar said.

To learn all that is happening through the Office of Facilities Planning and Construction or to request a filtered unit in a particular building go to http://www.famu.edu/index.cfm?FacilitiesPlanning.