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Energy Efficient Dishwashers

2012 Greeley, Colorado, USA
washing-2
Lance Mosness Jr. & Philipp Chmura from Union Colony Preparatory High School had the idea to install low energy dishwashers in Greeley, Colorado.
Americans themselves use the most water out of any one in the world. The implementation of this solution was to install two low energy dishwashers into community buildings, such as schools in Greeley. Installing these dishwashers into these areas will lower their water use, thus reducing the overall water use of the Poudre Watershed. Just using a dishwasher is more water efficient than hand washing dishes, but the best solution is installing and using low energy dishwashers.

Implementation Timeline:

  • Summer 2012-Selected and ordered built-In and portable dishwashers ($958.)
  • Fall 2012-Install dishwashers in schools, ($200, donated)
  • Late Fall 2012-Estimate water and cost savings
  • Winter 2012-Media release on the results of our solution

The students’ purchased two energy star dishwashers. During the next two weeks they will be installed at both of the schools. Nutrien donated $958 to implement our project- Thank You!

“Even though our watershed is just a small part of the total water used around our country, a small change here could make a big difference.” – Lance Moseness

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Solar Panels on Camrose Composite High School

2007 Camrose, Alberta, Canada

Students Rob Grant, Emma Marentette, Heidi Johnson, Epiphany Spielman, and Morag MacMillan entered the Caring for our Watersheds contest from the Camrose Composite High School group Students for Environmental and Social Advocacy. With support from the school faculty and administration, as well as the Battle River Watershed Alliance Watershed Ambassador these students were able to turn their dreams into reality.

The dream was “Project Sustain”- a dream to have solar panels collecting the sun’s rays to supplement the non-renewable energy used by the school.

The group believed that solar energy is clean, emission free and does not require water from the Battle River to produce power. “We wanted to inspire other students at Camrose by showing that a “green” power source could make a big difference at the school” said Rob, the student coordinator of the project.

After winning 1st place in the senior high contest, the students used the $1000 award as well as money contributed from the school to purchase solar panels placed on the east side of the school’s gym wall. Since the contest the students collected more community contributions and installed close to $20,000 worth of solar collectors on the school’s roof.

“The students at Camrose continue to amaze me daily- their ideas inspire the school and the people of Camrose,” said Jim Ofrim, principal of Camrose Composite High School.