To some, it's disgusting. To others, it's not a problem.
It's not a gory movie or a dirty joke - it's water.
Residence Halls Association is starting to work with MSU to improve water used for drinking and bathing on campus. RHA would like to receive support from the Student Assembly of ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government.
"Water quality at Michigan State is a serious concern that must be addressed," RHA President Derek Wallbank said.
Many on-campus students share Wallbank's sentiments.
"The water in the fountains in the dorms tastes like it's loaded with chemicals," said Chris Riemer, a telecommunication, information studies and media senior. Riemer lives in Gilchrist Hall.
Bob Ellerhorst, director of utility services for MSU's Physical Plant, said campus water comes from the Saginaw Aquifer.
"The water supply is a groundwater supply. Residence halls' water is softened because we don't have central softened water," he said.
"It's a high-quality groundwater supply."
Students in the dorms might not agree with Ellerhorst. For one student in particular, water quality has taken a personal toll.
"It killed my fish last year," mechanical engineering sophomore Allison Mendel said. "The pet store said not to use it, but it was all I had."
Ellerhorst explained the rusty element of the water comes from iron in the ground getting mixed into the water.
"If it's cold, it won't show up, but if it's warm, it'll come out of solution," he said.
For other students, such as criminal justice sophomore Matt Fhaner, the water isn't so bad.
"I can drink it, but I have well water at home," the Akers Hall resident said.
As a temporary solution, Wallbank is looking at the system used in University Village apartments to solve the water issue. In the laundry rooms, students can pay a quarter for a gallon of distilled water.
"It cuts the cost of going to the store to buy water - it's convenient," food industry management senior Morgan Mitchell said.
RHA also is working to better the lighting on campus. Internal Vice President Tom Edwards sat on a committee formed after a student was attacked in his Case Hall dorm room last year.
The committee talked about lighting inside and outside of residence halls to improve safety, Edwards said.
"I volunteered RHA to trudge around campus and investigate," he said, adding that engineers went through residence halls and evaluated the lighting system. A new system will be worked into halls as they are renovated.
"It's going to be worked on throughout the year," Edwards said, though funding is an issue. He said existing lights will be repaired and "mushroom lights" will be replaced with pole lamps.
Plans to further illuminate the path behind IM Sports-Circle also are being discussed.
