Howard University - Bottle Filling Station Case Study

HOWARD UNIVERSITY LEADS WITH FISCAL AND SUSTAINABLE EFFICIENCIES

WASHINGTON, DC

BACKGROUND

The constant evolution of sustainability trends at colleges can present a challenge when trying to meet expectations of current and prospective students all while balancing financial limitations. The Office of Sustainability at Howard University saw this challenge as an opportunity to exceed the needs and wants of their student body and staff.

OBJECTIVE

The Sustainability Office at Howard continually looks for initiatives to support their “top tier green image.” Specifically, the University chose to target outdated sources of drinking water that existed across campus. The team decided it was time to begin updating existing drinking fountains with new, environmentally-friendly, yet financially affordable solutions. In addition, it was important to find a solution that offered benefits beyond sustainability. Improving operational efficiency by decreasing delivery and storage issues was a decision driver.

SOLUTION

Good news travels fast! Through the “college grapevine,” the office heard of other University’s success with the revolutionary Brita^® Hydration Station^®: an easy-to-use, reliable and robust bottle filling station. IMC Water Coolers, the local authorized Brita^® Hydration Station^® representative in their area, promptly and thoroughly assisted in the installation of 14 Brita^® Hydration Stations^® scattered throughout their Burr Gymnasium, as well as other high-traffic locations. Social media mentions and campus press aligned with campus events helped promote awareness of the new sustainable alternative to bottled water.

RESULTS

Students, faculty and staff eagerly accepted the new additions well, and in turn the units have seen high use. “People on campus were happy to have options to get water that was free and more environmentally friendly than buying bottled water,” says Illai Kennedy, Office of Sustainability member. The value the units brought to the campus for not only the students, but also the facility staff, was immediately apparent and the college is  actively working toward the next phase of installations throughout Howard University campus.

ABOUT BRITA^® HYDRATION STATION^®

Brita^® Hydration Stations^® offer users the benefits of great-tasting, Brita^® filtered water at a variety of away-from home locations without the waste and cost of bottled water. The multiple product options transform regular tap water into healthier* drinking water using a certified advanced filtration system. Brita^® Hydration Stations^® are certified according to NSF/ANSI Standards 42 & 53 for the reduction of chlorine (taste and odor), lead, and 99.99% of cysts.

*Certified to reduce Lead & Cysts. Substances reduced may not be in all users’ water