When Jonas Ketterle ‘08 began experimenting with low flow showerheads for the Green Dorm Project last year, he never would have guessed that his results would culminate in the installation of new showerheads across campus by Student Housing — and in the process cause students to think of the new showerheads with a hatred normally reserved for Cal.

“We were able to break down where the water [on campus] goes, and a lot of it went to showers,” Ketterle said, referring to his work on the Green Dorm Project. “It wasn’t outrageous, but it was a significant proportion.”

Ketterle recommended his showerhead model to Student Housing, which began testing it in 680 Lomita last spring.

“We really got a lot of feedback, and really had no negative feedback,” Ketterle said. “I was surprised at how well the showerhead worked, especially with its flow rate.”

Christian Tom ‘09, who is an editor at The Daily, does not share Ketterle’s sentiments. Tom circulated an email petition around West Lagunita, asking others frustrated with the new shower heads to add their names to the email, which was then forwarded to the Lagunita housing front desk.

“All I asked was ‘Have you guys taken a shower yet?’ and people immediately knew what I was talking about,” Tom said. “Within 20 hours, I had 42 responses from westlag-chat.”

Although administrators are willing to listen to residents’ complaints, Student Housing is puzzled at the harsh reaction to the new showerheads.

“Part of the confusion is why they [the showerheads] aren’t being received the same way they were during testing at 680 Lomita,” Sustainability Coordinator Nik Kaestner said. “A lot of thought went into this decision, that is why we are doubly frustrated with the outcome.”

“Student Housing is determined to provide a ‘homey’ housing experience for our students while promoting the responsible use of precious resources wherever we can,” added Chief Housing Officer Rodger Whitney in an email to The Daily.

The perceived lack of student involvement has been one of the major reasons students are upset with the new showerheads.

“I was disappointed that we were not given advanced notice and the opportunity to give our input about them,” said Sean Arenson ‘08. “There is a range of low-flow showerhead products on the market and it would have been nice if the University had put out a lot more information about the enjoyment to sustainability ratio [of different products].”

But Kaestner vigorously denies lack of student involvement.

“This project originated with a student’s idea and, wherever possible, we like to partner with students to implement their forward-thinking ideas in the context of Student Housing,” he said.

In an effort to bring students into the loop, officials from Housing visited several dorms last night to discuss the new showerheads and address any concerns residents may have.

But frustrated students who hope for a return to the higher-pressure showerheads might be out of luck.

“Pulling them all out is probably not viable, considering the expense of installing them,” Kaestner said.

Housing defended its decision to install the new showerheads on environmental grounds.

“The installation of 1,827 undergraduate showerheads will save 12 million gallons each year, the daily water use of 120,000 average Americans,” Kaestner said.

Ketterle, in the end, was still proud of his contribution.

“I love taking showers,” he said, “and I wouldn’t recommend a showerhead I wasn’t happy with.”