University of Connecticut
OP-26: Water Use

An irrigation pond at the research farm has a network of channels meant to increase the amount of rainwater collected during storms, lowering the need for pumping to irrigate the research fields. Water from the new water reclamation plant is used in the cogeneration facility processes that can be run with non-potable water. The water reclamation facility allows UConn to save up to 450,000 gallons of water a day. Rainwater collection is a feature of the new Oak Building. The water will be used for irrigating adjacent quads. There are two 25,000 gallons tanks that are designed to collect ground water and infiltrating rainwater from around the BMP and LID features near Oak Hall.

Facilities monitors water consumption and energy consumption by building via the Campus Energy Dashboard. Additionally, Oak and Laurel Hall, two LEED certified buildings constructed in the last two years, both feature interactive energy and water usage dashboards where the public can actively learn about resource usage of the buildings and conservation measures.

In 2015 many residential halls underwent retrofits including the installation of more water-efficient showerhead and the installation of aerators on faucets. The recent LEED-Silver renovation of the Young Classroom building, which is the main administrative building for the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, and a nearly 100 year-old structure, is a good example of a whole-scale water efficiency retrofit.

UConn has LEED Silver/Green Building policy for major renovation projects that emphasizes replacement of old plumbing systems and fixtures with low-flow fixtures, faucet aerators and toilets. The recent LEED-Silver renovation of the Young Classroom building, which is the main administrative building for the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, and a nearly 100 year-old structure, is a good example of such a whole-scale water efficiency retrofit.

The University selects landscaping plants so that they require no watering once they are established. This xeriscaping with native, drought-tolerant plants takes advantage of our mild climate, which averages about 40 inches of rain a year. UConn also recently installed a rainwater and groundwater harvesting system at our new LEED-Gold certified Oak Hall academic building. This features two 25,000 gallon underground tanks which intercept groundwater and harvest roof runoff. In turn, this non-potable water is used for all irrigation of the surrounding landscaping as well as for the large lawn area and plantings throughout the nearby Student Union quad in the center of campus. UConn continues to seek a permit that will enable us to use non-potable water from the new $25 million Reclaimed Water Facility at our wastewater treatment plant for irrigation of certain athletic fields and other landscaped areas on our main campus.

The club sports fields located at the Depot Campus are equipped with soil moisture sensors to control the amount of irrigation used. For other Athletic fields, when UConn reaches drought conditions (as measured by real time instream flow gauges in the rivers near our water supply wellfields), Athletics is required to limit irrigation by time of day and volume (50%) until the drought restrictions are lifted.

As the owner/operator of the public water supply system for the main campus and surrounding municipal, commercial and residential users, UConn has implemented supply system improvements and demand-side installations and retrofits. Conservation and efficiency strategies include: • UConn instituted an ongoing leak detection and repair program to find and fix broken water mains and distribution pipes • Improved controls and pumping schedules that prevent routine overflows and loss of water from our storage tanks and underground reservoirs • Reclaimed water facility is used to treat and reuse effluent from UConn’s sewage plant • Use real time measurements of stream flow in the river near UConn’s Fenton River and Willimantic River wellfields to decide when to curtail pumping so that aquatic habitats are protected • If drought conditions persist, a Water Conservation Advisory is sent out to all UConn students, staff, and faculty—if necessary it is issued as mandatory and vehicle washing is prohibited • UConn has installed low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators, along with low-flush urinals and dual-flush toilets • Non-potable water collected in two 25,000 gallon tanks via the interception of groundwater and rainwater collection is used for landscaping • UConn uses “xeriscaping,” or native, drought-tolerant plants, often planted in rain gardens and bioretention swales that collect runoff and roof drainage • ResLife has installed hundreds of highly efficient front-loading washing machines in dorms and apartments • Annual EcoMadness competition to promote water conservation within the dorms • Trayless dining has resulted in a 20-25 percent reduction in water • Several years ago, UConn retrofitted the irrigation system, and moisture retention capabilities of its new varsity field hockey turf, resulting in an 80% reduction in water used for irrigation of artificial turf before practices and games, as is required for safety and playability among NCAA Division 1 Field Hockey programs.

Vegetated area includes wetlands. Land cover summary provided by GIS mapping of UConn Storrs and Depot campus.