UC campuses are employing a variety of strategies to conserve and safeguard California's limited water resources. Technologies like waterless urinals and low-flow fixtures help reduce water consumption in campus buildings. Landscape management best practices, like irrigation with reclaimed water, use of pervious paving materials, and drought-tolerant native plants also help the University save water and protect local watersheds.
Native grasses watered with reclaimed "gray" water are intended to resemble the rolling waves of the sea outside UC Santa Barbara's Bren Hall.
Campus Highlights
UC Berkeley
The Berkley campus utilizes a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system, automating irrigation on 90% of campus. The Physical Plant and Campus Services division tests the efficiency drip irrigation as well as installing efficient sprinklers. Overall, irrigation demands only 10% of total water use. University Village in Albany is double-plumbed to allow for grey water reclamation and a feasibility study is in progress to determine reprocessing possibilities.
The 2005 and 2008 UC Berkeley Sustainability Assessments include additional information on water efficiency and conservation efforts.
Grinnell Glade Landscape Improvement & Renewal
Restoration of the Glade includes a weather sensitive irrigation system that conserves water as well as a preliminary installation to measure the effectiveness of underground turf irrigation technology. In addition, storm water from the Dwinelle parking lot is filtered through turf and in conjunction with a stormwater detention basin slows and cleans runoff into Strawberry Creek.
UC Irvine
The Vista del Campo student housing parking lot is built of porous concrete, mitigating runoff impact. Irrigation on campus is supplied by 95% recycled water and controlled by a centralized evapotranspiration system that links to local weather data.
- The "Grounds and Water" (pdf) section of the 2008 Campus Sustainability Assessment provides an overview of water conservation projects and opportunities. The assessment was developed by a graduate student in UCI's Social Ecology program.
UC Santa Barbara
Clemente Graduate Housing Water Quality/Detention Basin (pdf)
Installed as part of the 976 bed Graduate Housing development, this 5.6 acre alternative water management system treats 100% of stormwater and irrigation runoff by filtering water through swales and basins.
Water Conservation and Reuse
In addition to the installation of 50 waterless urinals, each of which save between 20,000 and 50,000 gallons of water yearly, the campus uses reclaimed water for 93% of campus irrigation. Waterless Urinal Cost/Benefit Analysis (pdf)
UC Santa Cruz
Water consumption per capita has decreased 40% since the 1980's through a variety of water saving measures including installation of the "RainMaster Evolution." This radio controlled computer irrigation system and its connection with the campus weather station minimizes water use through smart flow control and built in leak sensors. In addition, a comprehensive Storm Water Management Program monitors the health and cleanliness of stormwater runoff.
- 2007 Campus Sustainability Assessment (pdf)
Includes details on stormwater management and water efficiency programs. - Campus stormwater management program
Best Practice Awardees
UC Irvine Restroom Water Efficiency Project
This installation of 60 high efficiency toilets and 70 low flow urinals saves an estimated four million gallons a year, an amount equivalent to four Olympic sized swimming pools.