Student Government will vote on a water sustainability resolution Wednesday that, if passed, will install two eco-friendly water dispensers in the Union, pending permission from Jason Tolliver, director of University Auxiliary Services.
Unlike water fountains, water dispensers pour water from above, fill bottles faster and count how many plastic bottles have been saved, according to SG Senate Speaker Aaron Caffarel.
“It’s basically a glorified water fountain,” Caffarel said.
Students can already fill their water bottles from one water dispenser on campus at the University Student Recreation Complex.
Caffarel said he expects the dispensers will not only help save the environment, but students’ costs as well.
“It makes people think about bringing an extra water bottle than buying one,” he said.
Each dispenser will cost about $3,000 and will be funded by an SG account.
The only opposition SG expects is from Coca-Cola, which is the only company that sells bottled water on campus, according to Lauren Hull, SG assistant director of sustainability.
Although recycling is encouraged, Hull said, reusing water bottles takes less energy and is more efficient.
In addition to installing the two water dispensers, the resolution will also allow SG to hand out 2,000 to 3,000 free water bottles to students, according to Caffarel.
“It’s definitely a start for our campus to be moving in a green direction,” he said.
 
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Contact Danielle Kelley at [email protected]