News from Trinity University

Trinity University Engineering Science Students Honored as Water Savers by San Antonio Utility

Trinity engineering science students Andrea Lopez and John Curran inspect water pipes in the basement of a Drury Hotel property.

SAN ANTONIO -- Trinity University engineering science students have joined San Antonio corporations and non-profit agencies as innovators of water conservation measures. Four students in a senior engineering design course were honored in June by the San Antonio Water System (SAWS) WaterSaver Partner of the Year awards for work to help a local hotel capture and reuse water from air conditioning systems.

Under the direction of Diana Glawe, associate professor of engineering science at Trinity, the students designed a condensate water recycling system to be installed at the Drury Hotel near the San Antonio International Airport. Representatives from the hotel chain and the water system also guided the student project.

Students in the capstone design project were John Curran of Windsor, Ontario; Andrea Lopez of Ecuador; Aaron Sims of Corsicana, Texas; and Patrick Spence of Abilene, Texas. All graduated from Trinity University in May with degrees in engineering science.

Water system officials noted that the normal, daily operation of air conditioning equipment produces large amounts of high-quality water known as condensate that can be reused in cooling towers, as landscape irrigation, or for other industrial purposes. The student model for collecting the condensate will be used to analyze data that will enhance knowledge about the volume of water produced from air conditioning equipment.

Also receiving recognition as WaterSavers were Spurs Sports & Entertainment for conservation measures implemented at the AT&T Center, USAA, CPS Energy, two Marriott Hotel properties, My Friend’s House Christian Fellowship, Bexar County 4-H Council, and many others. Collectively, the honorees saved an estimated 100 million gallons of water, according to SAWS. For a complete list of award winners, visit www.saws.org.

Trinity University, founded in 1869, is one of the nation’s top private undergraduate institutions. Noted for its superior academic quality, outstanding faculty, and exceptional academic and residential resources, Trinity is committed to the intellectual, civic, and professional preparation of its students.