Image by Michael Marsh found on Unsplash
With schools and universities back in session, campus managers are once again juggling rising operating costs. Among the biggest line items? Water.
Across the country, water rates continue to climb—and usage on a large university campus can exceed one billion gallons per year. Just one dorm student alone may consume up to 95 gallons of water daily. That means even small reductions can translate into huge savings.
So where is all this water going? Typically, two areas dominate:
Landscaping and irrigation
Restrooms and showers
(See sidebar below for UC Berkeley’s breakdown.)
With that in mind, here are eight proven steps college managers can take to reduce both water use and water bills—without sacrificing comfort or campus appeal.
Step 1: Collect Data
Gather 2–3 years of water and sewer bills.
Establish a usage baseline.
Break down consumption by building (dorms, labs, athletics, dining, etc.) to pinpoint high-use areas.
Step 2: Conduct a Water Audit
Perform a campus-wide water assessment.
Identify inefficiencies and leaks.
Document locations of outdated toilets, urinals, faucets, and showers.
Create a benchmark report to guide future water-saving goals.
Step 3: Target Landscaping & Irrigation
Campus irrigation alone can account for 30% or more of total water use. Strategies include:
Switching to native or drought-tolerant plants.
Installing smart irrigation systems with rain and soil moisture sensors.
Adjusting sprinklers to avoid overspray.
Reducing watering in low-traffic areas.
Step 4: Retrofit Restrooms & Plumbing
Restrooms are often the biggest water users. Upgrade fixtures to save thousands of gallons:
Replace older toilets (>3.5 GPF) with 1.6 GPF or dual-flush models.
Install waterless urinals.
Add low-flow faucet aerators (0.5–1.0 GPM).
Launch a leak inspection program—one dripping faucet can waste hundreds of gallons per month.
Step 5: Engage the Campus Community
Getting students and staff involved multiplies results:
Launch water awareness campaigns in dorms, restrooms, and dining halls.
Organize student-led sustainability challenges.
Offer small incentives (free pizza, gift cards) for reporting leaks.
Train custodial and maintenance staff in early leak detection.
Partner with faculty to weave water conservation into coursework.
Step 6: Monitor & Report Progress
Review quarterly bills for patterns.
Install sub-meters in high-use buildings for real-time tracking.
Share progress campus-wide to maintain momentum.
Step 7: Calculate ROI
Measure financial payback to build the case for more investment:
Restroom retrofits: ROI in 1–3 years.
Smart irrigation: ROI in 2–4 years.
Water audits: often immediate if leaks are discovered.
Step 8: Reinvest Savings
Channel savings into additional upgrades: expanded retrofits, irrigation technology, or improved HVAC systems.
Remember: HVAC systems are major water users for heating and cooling. Replacing an outdated system can cut water and energy bills dramatically.
Sidebar: Where Water Is Consumed on Campus
A University of California, Berkeley study illustrates how campus water is typically allocated:
605 million gallons annually
8% → Irrigation
50% → Restrooms and kitchens
30% → Labs
10% → HVAC
The Bottom Line
Cutting water waste on campus is more than just an environmental win—it’s a financial strategy. By collecting data, upgrading systems, and engaging the campus community, colleges can significantly lower utility costs while modeling sustainability for students.
