Public Information Office

Conserving Water: Reducing Our Consumption

UCSC is committed to water conservation and has established a campuswide Water-Use Curtailment Task Force to evaluate current usage, examine strategies to reduce water use, and ensure compliance with water restrictions for the drought emergency in 2009.

The Task Force's recommended actions for water-use reductions, prepared as part of its Water Shortage Plan: 2009 Season, include:

• Establish water-use targets for nine specific types of campus users.

  Action taken: The targets have been established in the following areas: Residential; Arboretum and Farm; Family Student Housing irrigation; athletic field irrigation; landscape irrigation on campus; faculty housing irrigation; office, classroom, and lab use; dining halls; and other water use. This enables the campus to more closely monitor use and focus conservation efforts.

• Provide more regular water-use data to key water users.

  Action taken: During the 2009 Peak Season, the campus is reading the main city water meters weekly (instead of monthly) to better assess overall campus water use and communicate information to key water users. This will enable units to make more timely adjustments to irrigation schedules, increase water conservation programs, and enhance awareness if necessary.

• Implement education and awareness campaign.

  Action taken: Housing Services has developed a series of water-conservation promotional materials, including give-away magnets, buttons, and fliers. Water conservation information packets are being provided to 2009 summer conference guests. Physical Plant staff have placed water-conservation stickers in high-use restrooms. The campus has developed this web site to promote awareness and provide tips.

• Continue to accelerate High Priority water conservation projects.

  Action taken: UCSC's Water Efficiency Survey of 2007 identified 19 high priority water conservation projects to be completed over a five-year period. UCSC has accelerated the completion of these projects: seven were completed in 2008, and several more will be initiated as early as this summer.