UF sorority houses challenged to reduce water use

January 29, 2013

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Sorority houses on the University of Florida campus have a chance to win a $500 donation to their chosen philanthropic organization through a water conservation challenge this spring.

The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department and the University of Florida Office of Sustainability are coordinating the “How Low Can You Go? 2013 Water Challenge,” in which sorority houses will compete to see which house can best reduce water use. The competition aims to raise awareness about the importance of water conservation for protecting area springs and future water supplies and is sponsored in part by Blue Springs Park and Ginnie Springs Outdoors.

Stacie Greco, water conservation coordinator in the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department, said, “It is important for everyone to understand that the water that comes out of our taps and sprinklers is from the same source that our rivers and springs depend upon.”

The challenge will run from Feb. to March 18. Points will be awarded weekly based on each house’s overall percent reduction in water use. Additionally, there will be weekly challenges for earning bonus points, including competing for the lowest per capita water usage among chapter members, scheduling a water conservation presentation with Alachua County staff, and asking chapter members to visit the Sustainability Hut on campus.

The challenge is open to the 16 Pan-Hellenic sorority houses on UF’s campus. The chapter with the most combined points will receive a $500 donation to their philanthropic organization compliments of Ginnie Springs and Blue Springs parks as well as a prize pack from Ginnie Springs, which includes a pavilion, tubes and admission for 25.

For more information visit www.facebook.com/HowLowCanYouGoSororityWaterChallenge or email SororityWaterChallenge@gmail.com.