Road salt can be harmful to the environment through runoff and groundwater infiltration. In the winter, after salt is applied on the roads, where does it go? Are there ways snow management can be done that reduces both the amount of salt needed and the amount that enters streams and groundwater? This project explores how salt mixes with snow and where it goes.
SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
Too often, important decisions are made based almost entirely on very narrow economic factors: upfront costs, operational costs, payback periods, etc. and do not take into consideration other implications like health. What communication tools can the University of Waterloo use to highlight the health-based benefits of sustainable practices on campus?
Canadians have some of the highest personal water footprints in the world. At the University of Waterloo, water is heated using natural gas and therefore contributes to our total operational emissions. Since students are the main users of campus showers, how can we promote the importance of reducing shower duration among the student population?
How do we reach the broader community about sustainability initiatives on campus? What kind of communication tools can we use? What are some important topics to share to others?