At the expense of long, leisurely showers, Riker Hall residents are this year’s top water savers.
The annual Eco-Challenge, hosted by UF’s Inter-Residence Hall Association, pushes dorm residents to conserve water in January, use less electricity in February and reduce waste during both months.
Riker Hall won by saving 82,538 gallons of water, as compared to last January.
“It feels great,” said Ashley Arnold, a Riker Hall resident assistant. “I love winning. That’s all there is to it.”
Arnold, 21, said the thrill of competition made saving energy easier.
“Even if there isn’t a prize, it’s a pride thing,” she said.
She said her hall’s residents held each other accountable.
If someone was taking too long in one of the hall’s two showers, Arnold said, the girls waiting would remind them to hurry up.
The students also turned off bathroom and dorm room lights when they left them, which helped them compete in February’s challenge. Top electricity and waste savers have not been announced yet.
“It’s really just a community thing,” she said. “Saying, ‘Hey, this is a competition. We want to win.’”
