Imagine no water to drink, or even to make coffee with. No water to shower, flush the toilet or do laundry. Hospitals would have to close, firefighters would be left helpless and farmers couldn’t nourish their crops.

The Colorado State University Water Center, which works to support the research, teaching and engagement activities of CSU water faculty, staff and students, and the One Water Solutions Institute (OWSI), which serves as a hub for interdisciplinary water-related laboratories and research centers at CSU, recently joined a nationwide effort focused on the importance of safe, reliable sources of water.

Critical role

The Water Center and OWSI hosted an interactive activity on the Lory Student Center Plaza on Sept. 15, including a giant white board where passers-by were asked, “Imagine your day without water … what would you miss?” They were joined by staff from KCSU and members from water-related student clubs, such as Engineers without Borders.

“Imagine a Day Without Water was a wonderful opportunity to engage with the campus community about the critical role of water in our daily lives,” said Julie Kallenberger, coordinator for the Water Center. “We are fortunate to have so many faculty, staff and students who care about our water resources and work to address the challenges we face.”

The goal of the event was to raise awareness about the value of water in our daily lives and promote the important work of CSU faculty, staff and students that allow the community have a safe and reliable water supply. In all, the University has more than 200 faculty members engaged in water research.

Value of water

From those who stopped by to engage in discussions and answer the question of what their day would be like without water, the event was a success. Here’s a sampling:

• “I value water for food since I love to cook!” — Shelby Cronk, sophomore, Business Administration major in the College of Business.
• “I value the beauty of water and how it connects me to nature.” — Oliver Homan, junior, Journalism and Media Communications major in the College of Liberal Arts.
• “I value all aspects of water. I couldn’t imagine not having water for drinking, showering, or to grow food.” — Isaac Crowder, senior, Computer Science major in the College of Natural Sciences.

CSU’s efforts coincided with a larger national effort, sponsored by the Value of Water Coalition. This year, more than 300 organizations – including city governments, water utilities, businesses and trade associations, and civic groups – joined together during “Imagine a Day Without Water” to engage stakeholders and communicate the importance of a dependable water infrastructure.