Water

RIT uses roughly 165-175 million gallons of water per year. Consumption has decreased over the last 10 years by nearly 50 million gallons annually despite growth in the campus size and population.

Packaged Water Policy

In 2012, RIT instituted an operational policy that restricted the purchase of bottled water using university dollars. This policy was implemented with success over the next eight years, and the use of single-serve bottled water on campus declined significantly. This policy was paused in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when hydration stations were turned off, and in-person dining was limited. During the last several years, single-use plastic waste on campus and beyond has surged. This policy has been updated and is being reinstated now that RIT has returned to normal business operations.

Policy:
Effective April 1, 2024, university funds may not be used to purchase still, unflavored, packaged water. This applies to all single-serve water, regardless of container material (plastic, metal, glass, paper, etc.), container size, use (office use, meetings, events, etc.), and method of purchase.

Rationale: 
The RIT community has access to high quality, free drinking water on campus. Packaged water, as compared to tap water, is approximately 200 times more expensive for the same amount of water, has a higher embodied carbon footprint, generates more waste, and contains more micro-plastic pollutants that are harmful to human health.
Hydration stations are available in most campus buildings and in all dining halls for individuals to refill personal water bottles at no cost.

Procedures: 
This policy applies to all departments, governing bodies, student groups, and other campus affiliates that use university funds for beverage purchases. In adherence with this policy, RIT Catering will not offer packaged water as an option for university funded events. Pitchers of water can instead be used for events. Departments may also consider purchasing reusable pitchers and cups for their office to use as needed for meetings. Where appropriate, departments should encourage guests and event attendees to bring their own reusable water bottle.

Bottled water will continue to be available in vending machines and dining venues for individuals to purchase using personal funds.

Exceptions:
Exceptions to this policy include:

  • Individuals traveling on behalf of RIT where access to clean drinking water may not be readily available. This includes employee travel, athletic teams, and other student group travel.
  • Organizers of off-campus events are encouraged to request water pitchers rather than bottled water, but are not required to do so.
  • In locations without kitchenettes or hydration stations, offices may work with WB Mason to rent refillable water coolers.
  • Additional exceptions can be made by contacting sustainability@rit.edu in advance.

This is not a new policy. RIT first adopted a policy to prevent the use of university funds on bottled water in 2012. This policy was paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now that we have returned to normal operations, the policy is being reinstated and updated to reflect current practices.

Yes. Bottled water will be available at vending machines and dining units for anyone to purchase using personal funds. This policy applies only to the use of RIT funds for packaged water.

This policy will impact anyone who makes purchases using university dollars. Individuals purchasing food and beverage as well as individuals that approve purchases (including procurement card purchases) should be mindful of this policy.

Yes! Our municipal tap water is managed by Monroe County Water Authority, and is rigorously
tested to strict hygiene and safety standards above those required by state and federal
authorities. Regular testing ensures that our water is not contaminated with pollutants (including
heavy metals) and is safe for drinking. The Greater Rochester area is fortunate to have reliable
access to fresh water. Our water comes primarily from Lake Ontario, and Hemlock and
Canadice Lakes, two undeveloped Finger Lakes that provide abundant and clean drinking
water. By comparison, packaged water has been found to contain higher concentrations of
micro-plastics than tap water.

Yes! Many hydration stations installed on campus contain indicator lights as a standard design
feature, and a red light does not indicate poor water quality. Our water is filtered and tested
regularly by Monroe County Water Authority to ensure that it is safe for drinking.

No. This policy only applies to still, unflavored, packaged water.

Members of the campus community are encouraged to use a reusable water bottle and fill it up
for free at hydration stations. Departments that frequently host outside guests for meetings and
small events may consider purchasing reusable pitchers and cups. RIT catering can provide
pitchers of water upon request for small and large scale catered events. If you need additional
assistance, please email sustainability@rit.edu.

Yes. RIT Catering will not offer packaged water as an option for university funded events.
Pitchers of water will be provided upon request for small and large events on campus. If you are
working with an outside caterer, the policy also applies. Be sure to communicate the university
policy and discuss their non-packaged water options.

Yes. Participants should be reminded and encouraged to bring their own reusable water bottles
to these events. Departments that host large outdoor events frequently are encouraged to
purchase their own reusable water coolers for outdoor use as appropriate.

Single-use packaged water may be purchased for off-campus activities if access to clean
drinking water is not available (this includes athletic teams, any student group travel, and
employees traveling on behalf of RIT). Individuals are encouraged to bring their own reusable
water bottles whenever practical. Organizers of events that are not held on RIT property are
encouraged to request pitchers rather than single-use packaged water, but are not required to
do so.

Boxed water is not a better alternative to plastic bottles. Boxed water, like any form of packaged
water, has a significantly higher carbon footprint, takes more resources to produce and
transport, generates more waste, and costs more than municipal tap water. Additionally,
commoditizing water may create a disincentive to invest in public water infrastructure,
endangering public health and exacerbating water crises around the world.

While single-use products of any type generate more waste than their reusable counterparts, the shipping of packaged water results in greater use of resources and carbon emissions than shipping single-use cups because of the weight. If single-use cups must be used, compostable cups are recommended over plastic cups.

No. People have different needs and preferences when it comes to selecting a water bottle. Many places already give out reusable bottles, as evidenced by the number and variety that are donated to Goodbuy, Goodbuy! every year. Rather than add to that volume with another give away, students can find a reusable water bottle at the annual Goodbye, Goodbuy! sale if they don’t already have one.

If your office is in a building without access to a kitchen suite or hydration station, you can use WB Mason’s beverage service. As part of RIT’s contract with WB Mason, offices can rent a 5 gallon water cooler for free, and WB Mason will refill the water jugs as needed. Reusable water jugs are a cheaper and more environmentally friendly option than single-use packaged water.

Exceptions include:

  • Individuals traveling on behalf of RIT where access to clean drinking water may not be readily available (this includes employee travel, athletic teams, or other student group travel).
  • Organizers of events that are not held on RIT property are encouraged to request water pitchers rather than bottled water, but are not required to do so.
  • In locations without kitchenettes or hydration stations, offices may work with WB Mason to rent refillable water coolers.
  • Additional exceptions can be made by contacting sustainability@rit.edu in advance.
Hydration Station

Hydration Stations

To make it easier for people to fill reusable bottles, RIT has been working to install hydration stations all over campus.


We are working on updating the Hydration Station map. 

Hydration Stations on Campus
Perkins Rain Garden

Stormwater Runoff

When water from rain or snow melt is not absorbed into the ground, it flows across impervious surfaces into the nearest water body. The water accumulates debris, chemicals, and other pollutants that can negatively impact water quality. To minimize these impacts, RIT is installing green infrastructure.

Learn More

Conservation

Throughout campus, water is used for a variety of purposes in kitchens, bathrooms, labs, and on the grounds. There are a lot of opportunities to reduce water consumption as well as improve water quality.

All new and renovated buildings are constructed with low-flow water fixtures on sinks and toilets. In residence halls and apartments, fixtures include dual-flush toilets, low-flow showerheads, and ultra-low flow faucet aerators.

Rainwater is collected from the roof of Sustainability Institute Hall and stored in a 1,700 gallon cistern in the basement. That water is used to flush toilets in the building, drastically reducing the building’s use of potable water.

As part of RIT’s continued commitment to green building practices, irrigation is NOT installed in landscaping around new buildings. In areas where irrigation systems are in place, the university has begun using controls and weather data to improve irrigation practices.

Water is also the medium through which buildings on campus are heated and cooled. A closed loop system was installed when the central plant project was completed in 2010. That enabled the university to eliminate a number HVAC units that wasted a lot of water. Non-chemical water treatment systems have been installed for the main west side chiller plant and six other evaporative towers. This eliminates chemicals evaporating into the atmosphere and chemicals going to the sanitary system.