The Problem
This extreme weather condition in Arizona is the primary reason the proposal authors say hydration is such an urgent concern on campus.
The heat / extreme heat
How many people responded to the water quality survey conducted by the proposal authors?
164 respondents
What is the approximate cost range for a basic water purification system, according to the proposal?
$15,000 to $20,000
The proposal recommends that ASU publish this type of information more transparently, following the University of Michigan's example.
Water testing / contaminant data / test results
This Big Ten university is cited in the proposal as a model for campus water safety, receiving pre-tested water from its city and conducting extensive additional testing.
University of Michigan
The proposal mentions this type of cancer as a possible long-term consequence of drinking arsenic-contaminated water.
Lung, skin, or bladder cancer
What percentage of survey respondents gave a low rating to the tap water quality in Tempe?
Over 63%
According to a Water First Project study, improving water filters would cost approximately this amount annually for an entire school.
About $11,700 annually
The US National Library of Medicine research cited in the proposal found that these filters are effective at removing bacteria from contaminated water.
Ceramic water filters
This Midwestern university conducted the student water perception study that found students judge water quality by sight, smell, and taste.
Purdue University
A website cited in the proposal reported this many different contaminants present in Tempe tap water.
67 contaminants
The survey revealed that students do not trust tap water quality — and as a result, nearly all of them do what instead of drinking unfiltered tap water?
They avoid drinking unfiltered tap water entirely (drink bottled water or filtered water)
The Water First Project study found that annual filter improvement costs break down to approximately how much per student?
About $20 per student (or as low as $11 considering filter lifespan)
An ASU facilities management official stated that water bottle station surfaces are cleaned on this schedule, according to an article cited in the proposal.
Twice daily
The University of Michigan's water treatment process includes this specific filtration method to further improve water quality beyond city standards.
Carbon filtration
The proposal notes that chlorite levels in Tempe tap water are double the recommended amount, while THMs — trihalomethanes — are how many times over the recommended level?
100 times over the recommended level
A study cited from Purdue University found that students judged water quality based on three specific senses. Name all three.
Sight, smell, and taste
According to the University of Michigan's water testing data cited in the proposal, lead levels in their campus water ranged from below 1 ppb to this maximum, well under the EPA's 15 ppb limit.
5 ppb
The proposal identifies three main constraints that could make implementing new water systems difficult. Name all three.
Cost, space required by filtration systems, and the labor needed for installation and maintenance
The proposal references a study from this Illinois university about the annual cost of improving water filters, citing roughly $11,700 per year for the whole school.
University of Edwardsville (Southern Illinois University Edwardsville)
The proposal cites a public health statement from this Arizona county when discussing arsenic contamination and its risks to local communities.
Maricopa County
The proposal argues that even when water IS safe, students won't use it under what two conditions related to perception?
If it smells odd, or if the fountain/station looks dirty or old
A reverse osmosis (RO) system cited in the proposal has the ability to remove up to what percentage of contaminants including salts, heavy metals, and bacteria?
Up to 99% of contaminants
Beyond health and access, the proposal makes an enrollment-related argument for improving water quality on campus. What is it?
Better water access would make ASU feel more livable and could incentivize students to attend / stay at the school
The proposal cites Cornell University in the context of what type of infrastructure upgrade?
Water piping infrastructure upgrades