Recontextualizing water conservation in university residence hall populations in the context of semi-permanent residences
Otrubina, Victoria
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Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120331
Description
Title
Recontextualizing water conservation in university residence hall populations in the context of semi-permanent residences
Author(s)
Otrubina, Victoria
Issue Date
2023-01-04
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Stillwell, Ashlynn S
Department of Study
Civil & Environmental Eng
Discipline
Environ Engr in Civil Engr
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
water
water conservation
water-energy nexus
Abstract
Showers are an important part of daily routines for many people, particularly in the United States, where two-thirds of residents report showering daily. However, showers also consume a significant amount of water, with the average shower using around 16 gallons of water. While the social and personal benefits are well documented, the environmental impacts of showering behavior are also important, particularly as global freshwater insecurity becomes increasingly pressing. Previous research has focused on the energy and water usage patterns of showers in single-family homes, but there is less information available about how shower behavior may differ among college-aged individuals living in residence halls.
This study examines the shower habits of students living in approved on-campus residences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to determine if they have similar behavior patterns as single-family households and explores the potential relationship between shower event irregularities and high-stress periods of the academic semester. The study concludes that student shower time preferences greatly differ from those seen in residential households, with most of the events skewed towards the nighttime. Residential and student shower duration data followed different distribution fits, supporting this finding. It was also discovered that there is a preference within the sampled student population for major shower events ($>$ 30 gallons) to occur during the weekday, specifically Tuesday through Friday. Additionally, a major distinction was found between the average shower duration of University Housing and Private Certified Housing residents, with the former averaging twice the event span (10 minutes) of the latter (5 minutes). Based on the findings, a potential path for future work was proposed, arguing for studies with larger sample sizes and extended collection periods.
By studying this college-aged demographic, the research aims to better understand tactics that might effectively promote conservation in residence halls and encourage sustainable shower habits. The results of this analysis have broader implications for water conservation efforts in similar semi-permanent residential settings and can provide insight into the factors that influence shower behavior in this demographic.
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