Eastern Illinois University has been particularly savvy in conserving water.  For example, the picture above shows a pump house used to irrigate campus athletic fields from the pond to the right, saving the 1.5 million gallons of potable water each year.  Overall, EIU has reduced water consumption on campus by over 49% since 1998 due to some major water technology retrofits.  This water savings has been achieved by:

• installing low-flow showerheads
• installing centralized chilled water loops throughout campus
• replacing five steam-driven chillers with electric units
• replacing 1,117 toilets, 1,469 faucet aerators and 118 washing machines with low comsumption units
• blending in new electric chillers
• and replacing a cooling tower

Eastern Illinois University will now be working with Honeywell Internation to identify possible energy conservation projects, including replacing their power plant on campus.Honeywell will conduct an audit at Eastern and is looking at energy-efficient ways to replace the existing power plant, do electrical upgrades and upgrades to the university's electrical grid connection, and possibilities for wind energy generation.

The energy conservation measures identified by Honeywell will be designed to be self-funded over a period of less than 20 years. The terms of agreement will guarantee that Eastern will have operational cost savings at least equal to the cost of financing the conservation project. 

Furthermore, the roof of campus building Blair Hall was replaced in 2004 following a fire using a recycled urethane plastic material made from car bumpers.  The material looks nearly identical to slate.  

EIU is fortunate to have a Campus Energy and Sustainability Coordinator to oversee these numerous sustainability projects.