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Tara Gallagher
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Salem State University is one of nine universities nationally to be awarded pro-bono consulting support from Second Nature, an organization committed to accelerating climate action in higher education. Salem State’s award will focus on reducing water use on campus by upgrading tracking strategies to detect opportunities for improvement and by identifying needed infrastructure projects.
The project, valued at $20,000, will be provided by Coho, an energy and water consulting firm focused on renewable energy and resilient water solutions.
Salem State’s water supply comes from the Ipswich River Watershed, named one of the most endangered rivers in the country in 2021 by American Rivers due to the serious threat that excessive water withdrawals pose to the ecosystem and regional water security. The damaging drought in the summer of 2022 further highlighted the need to conserve water. As there is energy use associated with providing water, successful water solutions will also reduce SSU’s energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Campus messaging on World Water Day, March 22nd, focused on asking Vikings to take shorter showers and to report faulty faucets, toilets or leaks promptly via the School Dude Work Order system.