Boise State University
IL-66: Innovation B

In Boise, irrigation water is diverted from the Boise River and distributed by large irrigation canals and smaller irrigation laterals to local neighborhoods.  https://www.cityofboise.org/departments/public-works/pressure-irrigation/

Boise State currently irrigates the campus with a combination of canal water and potable water.  It is preferable to use canal water for irrigation because canal water is untreated river water and requires much less energy and resources to supply when compared to potable water.  This is addressed in the City of Boise's Climate Action Plan:  Boise’s water supply planning also emphasizes the right water for the right use. Water resources planning for climate change focuses on fit-for-purpose strategies that match the quantity and quality of water required for each specific use, to maximize cost and supply efficiencies. For example, the use of treated water for applications such as outdoor landscaping may not represent the highest and best use for this water. Similarly, renewed water may be more appropriate for some applications, such as industrial processes, than the use of surface or groundwater. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.cityofboise.org/media/18146/boise-climate-roadmap.pdf

Boise State is currently expanding the area of campus that is irrigated with canal water.  This is a large infrastructure project that will reduce our reliance on potable water for irrigation.  This aligns with the goals in the city of Boise's Climate Action Plan:   Convert potable water use for irrigation to surface water where available.   This enhances the resiliency of the community by reducing potable water demand.  

https://www.boisestate.edu/operations/campus-wide-pressurized-irrigation/