Duke will giveaway low-flow showerheads beginning Monday Photo credit: Megan Morr

Durham, NC - Eben Polk is constantly searching for ways to safeguard the world's natural resources.

Even in restrooms.

Duke's decision to give free low-flow showerheads to faculty, staff and off-campus students originated with Polk, an associate in policy and research at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions.

"I suggested the idea because I've been impressed with the water and energy savings from the low-flow showerheads and faucets that I installed earlier this year in my apartment in Durham," said Polk, 30, one of the authors of "The Future of Water in North Carolina: Strategies for Sustaining Abundant and Clean Water," a recent Nicholas report.

"Before I was an employee at the Nicholas Institute, I was part of the enthusiastic and growing group of graduate students who want to make a greener campus," he said. "It's great that Duke is encouraging employees to be greener at work and at home because there are a lot of opportunities for Duke to support employees' conservation efforts on and off campus. Not only do low-flow fixtures save water, but they also reduce your energy bill because they use less hot water."

An initial batch of 5,000 showerheads will be distributed Monday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in three locations: in front of Duke Chapel (free, 15-minute parking will be available in the surface lot adjacent to the Bryan Center); the Duke South Food Court; and the Duke North Atrium.

A Duke ID is required and there is a limit of one showerhead per employee.

Duke facilities and sustainability staff will be available to answer questions. Installation instructions and Teflon tape will be provided at all three sites.

"Most of the Duke community lives in Durham and other parts of the Triangle," said Tavey McDaniel Capps, Duke's environmental sustainability coordinator. "With a few twists of the wrists, a new showerhead can reduce water use at home and help provide immediate relief for regional demands."

After Dec. 10, showerhead distribution will continue from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 11 through Dec. 21 in Duke's Smith Warehouse Work Control Center, 114 S. Buchanan Blvd. (Free, 15-minute parking is available in the gravel lot next to the building.) Upon completion of the initial distribution, the university will evaluate the program and determine whether to expand it.

The chrome Earth Massage showerheads Duke is giving away use 1.5 gallons per minute and will each save an estimated 7,300 gallons of water annually, compared to a standard 2.5 gallons-per-minute fixture, according to the showerhead manufacturer.

Polk encourages others to take advantage of Duke's showerhead giveaway.

"I was blown away when I heard Duke wanted to give out 5,000 showerheads," Polk said. "That's thinking big. I hope we continue to think big. This initiative could be among the first of many to help green the wider Duke community and help people save money at home."