By: Kristin Kuwada, Communications & Marketing Intern, Office of Sustainability Initiatives
Emory University has been recognized as one of the Georgia Water Coalition’s “Clean 13” for the WaterHub at Emory, a wastewater treatment plant that reclaims about 40% of Emory’s total water to use for utility purposes.
This annual list recognizes 13 organizations and individuals for their efforts to conserve water. As stated in the “Clean 13” report, “Together, the efforts of these Clean 13 are adding up to cleaner rivers, stronger communities and a more sustainable future for Georgia. The Georgia Water Coalition publishes this list not only to recognize these positive efforts on behalf of Georgia’s water but also as a call to action for our state’s leaders and citizens to review these success stories, borrow from them and emulate them.”
As the first of its kind in the nation, the WaterHub at Emory processes and treats about 400,000 gallons of sewage water every day. The reclaimed water is used to heat and cool buildings and flush toilets around campus. It is increasingly important to conserve and protect Georgia’s water supply, including the Chattahoochee River that supplies 40% of the drinking water for Georgia’s citizens. Unfortunately, the Chattahoochee and South Rivers are also affected by sewage treatment facilities in Dekalb and Fulton counties. The Emory WaterHub performs the valuable service of removing and recycling sewage from already overburdened municipal sewer systems while reducing chronic sewage overflows and improving the overall health of these critical rivers.
For more information about how the wastewater treatment plant works and to read more about its benefits, visit the WaterHub webpage. As stated in Georgia Water Coalition’s Clean 13 report, the WaterHub demonstrates to, “students —and even international leaders— the benefits of small-scale, onsite water treatment facilities.” Read the full “Clean 13” report to learn more about all of “Georgia’s Clean Water Heroes” and to see how our community is implementing innovative solutions to help protect our environment.