by Karen Cochrane

There isn’t one event he can point to as his “A-ha” moment. The fact he used to spend three hours a day on Biscayne Bay as a member of his high school’s crew team surely had something to do with it. And he speaks passionately about a high school teacher who made the Earth’s perils real to his students. The news reports about Miami-Dade County’s worsening water shortage and a trip to the water treatment plant on Virginia Key stuck with him, too, reminding him that there was much to be done. It was building inside of him, this need to do something, anything proactive in support of the environment.

So when David Fonseca learned of a newly created position in FIU’s Student Government Association in 2006 – that of community relations and environmental affairs director – he seized the opportunity to make an impact and ran for the elected office.

“I knew this was the way I could help,” says Fonseca, a political science major.

Knowing he was searching for a meaningful project that wouldn’t break the bank, Fonseca’s older brother suggested the sophomore check out the free shower exchange and retrofit kit program offered by Miami-Dade County’s Water and Sewer Department. He learned a little bit about the program and convinced the university to give it a try. Next he contacted Angelique Bestard, water use efficiency coordinator for Miami-Dade County’s Water and Sewer Department, who was more than happy to supply FIU with the free, low-flow showerheads.

Last year, Fonseca worked side-by-side with Facilities Management personnel, replacing the existing showerheads in the Biscayne Bay Campus dorm rooms. The group also retrofitted each room’s kitchen and bathroom faucets with low-flow aerators, which also help conserve water.

This summer, FIU plans to switch out the showerheads in the University Park dorms.

Who’s Next?
With his own university now on board, Fonseca promptly set his sites on Barry University.

“This is a free program,” he says. “There’s no reason why every university in the county shouldn’t take advantage of it.”

Patrick Devine, associate director of Housing at Barry University, was surprised when Fonseca contacted him.

“It was definitely intriguing,” says Devine of his initial encounter with Fonseca. “We always try to work with the student government at Barry, so we wanted to extend the same courtesy to a student from FIU. David seemed like an honest, credible person. We listened to his idea, figured it couldn’t hurt and decided to try it out. The selling point for us was that we didn’t have to buy the showerheads.”

Devine says the showerheads have been tested in the gym showers to good reviews. Based on the positive feedback, the university is moving forward with plans to replace the showerheads in close to 600 dorm rooms this summer.

“Our buildings are decades old. We’re willing to listen to any idea that’s going to help us conserve more,” says Devine. “In David’s case, he had a great idea.”

Fonseca is now working with Johnson & Wales University and St. Thomas University. Next up? The University of Miami.

Says the county’s Bestard, who has worked with Fonseca to supply more than 1,100 showerheads thus far to local universities, “He’s got a great amount of energy. He really wants to make a difference.”

To learn more about water conservation and the county’s efficiency programs, please click here.

10 Questions with David Fonseca

Who’s on your playlist?
U2

I couldn’t start my day without…
Walking my dog Rusty. He’s a miniature dachshund and the love of my life.

Favorite web site?
My bank. I love online banking.

The most recent cause you volunteered for?
The “Day on the Bay” clean-up event sponsored by SGA, SOC and SPC.

I’m passionate about…
Justice for the environment. My goal is to teach people how they can undue the damage that’s been done to our planet.

I wish there were more hours in the day to…
Study.

I wish I could be more…
Efficient.

Adjective that describes you?
Proactive.

Why FIU?
FIU’s international aspect is what made me love it so much. The university doesn’t even have to work for its incredible diversity – it’s effortless.

What’s next?
Keep advocating for the environment.