Water: An essential component of our every day lives, and one unique molecule sustaining life.
We know water is important, and we inherently understand that we depend on water. Still, it is easy to forget why conserving our water is so important when it is readily available. And people are not the only ones who depend on water. As an essential part of the natural environment, it is important to remind ourselves that the water we use today is water that someone, or something, may not be able to use tomorrow.
At the University of Connecticut, we recognize that drinking water supply is a precious and limited natural resource. UConn operates the public water supply and distribution system for nearly 25,000 users, including the university, as well as several municipal facilities and commercial buildings in the Town of Mansfield, and about 100 private homes surrounding the campus. Although the water supply in our wellfields and storage tanks is relatively abundant, pumping our wells during dry periods that tend to coincide with peak demand for water can increase the environmental stress on rivers near our wellfields. In recent years, these occurrences have necessitated stronger water conservation measures and have become factors in limiting the potential for growth and development in Mansfield and at the University. The UConn community understands this fine balance of water use and conservation, and we are expanding our efforts to educate those who utilize this essential natural resource.
