Water Conservation FAQ

Q: What does it mean to be in a Level 2 Drought?

A: The Level 2 Drought Alert was declared by the city of San Diego. It means that many voluntary water conservation measures are now requirements for city water customers. Specifically, it limits the days and times when homes and businesses can irrigate landscaping. Additional requirements address ornamental fountains, washing vehicles, restaurant and hotel water service, pools, and construction projects. See a list of all restrictions.

Q: How long will these restrictions last?

 A: Many of the restrictions are permanent and in effect year-round. See a list of permanent restrictions. Others are a condition of the Level 2 Drought Alert. The city of San Diego will not make drastic changes to the drought condition alert until the level of water available to San Diego returns to a sustainable level for this region.

Q: What is UCSD doing to address the new requirements?

A: UCSD is changing some practices to comply with the restrictions (see details), and being proactive about water conservation. Even before the drought alert, UCSD had been replacing irrigation nozzles with more efficient ones, and installing water-efficient fixtures in campus housing and new construction. We've also applied for grants to expand our reclaimed-water infrastructure and install low-flow toilets and urinals.

Students have also galvanized, forming a group called Aquaholics to educate peers and the campus community about water issues.

Q: Where does UCSD get its water?

A: Up to 90% of the region's water is imported from the Colorado River and Northern California by a single supplier, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, which sells it to the San Diego County Water Authority (SDCWA). SDCWA provides water to the City of San Diego and other cities within its region. The rest comes from local water sources, including groundwater, local surface water, recycled water, seawater desalination and conservation.

Q: How do I get more information about the water situation?

A: Check the following websites:

• City of San Diego Water Emergency Information
• San Diego County Water Authority
• Metropolitan Water District of Southern California

Q: How can I report a water leak or water misuse on campus?

A: Contact Facilities Management Customer Relations, (858) 534-2930.

Q: How can I conserve water in my dorm, apartment, or home?

A: Individual conservation efforts have a tremendous potential to make a significant effect.

Try the following:

• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth (save 3 gallons per day).
• Shorten your shower by a few minutes (5 gallons a day).
• Wash only full loads of laundry (15-50 gallons per load saved).
• Tell your friends what you're doing.

Q: How can UCSD reduce water use if we're building more housing and academic buildings?

A: New housing installs low-flow water fixtures and water-saving technology such as sensors and timers. Also, we are seeking funds to change out toilets and urinals that use excessive water. Staff members from departments across the campus, including Planning, Facilities Management, Housing, Dining and Hospitality, and University Center, are collaborating to keep our water use down despite anticipated growth.

Q: How can I voice my concerns or get more information about the current water situation?

A: If you live in San Diego, go to a city informational meeting. See times and dates. If you live outside San Diego, contact your water provider for more information.

Q: Why don’t we replace turf areas on campus with artificial turf?

A: Artificial turf is a relatively new option, and the debate on the overall cost and benefits is ongoing.  Artificial turf installation is costly, and periodic labor intensive maintenance is still necessary.  Maintenance may include the use of softeners, solvents, sanitizers, fungicides, and herbicides, as well as specialized equipment such as vacuums, rakes, and blowers. Additionally, artificial turf does require watering to reduce temperature, and often requires costly maintenance to repair seams or infill, replace rubber, and readjust grade after settling. (See more information on article turf maintenance.) As we work to identify the solution with the most benefit and least impact, all ideas are still on the table.

Q: Why don’t we just stop watering?

A: While simply turning off our sprinklers may seem an obvious solution, there are many factors to consider. Our landscaped areas, including turf, are an important part of campus storm water management; landscape slows water runoff, facilitating percolation and filtration to remove pollutants before water travels to the ocean.

The campus is replacing high water-use plants with drought-tolerant and native species in many areas, and seeking funding from grants and partnerships. But shutting off water, causing landscaped area to die off before new landscaping can be installed, will increase the potential for soil erosion and pollution. For this reason, we are phasing in replacements as rapidly as we can.Keep in mind, new drought-tolerant and low-water-use plantings still require significant watering while they establish root systems.

Q: Can we replace all fixtures with low-flow versions?

A: Facilities Management is systematically replacing faucets, toilets, shower heads, and urinals with more efficient models. We have recently applied for grants and stimulus package funds to speed up the process.

Q: Why are people still power washing on-campus?

A: Scheduled washing of buildings, parking structures, and hard surface areas ensures that rain water does not carry contaminants to the storm drain and exit to our oceans.We use high-pressure washing when dry methods of cleaning will remove hard surface debris such as oil, mold, and other pollutants. When high-pressure washing is necessary, we use low-flow high-pressure equipment. Because it is illegal for any of the water to exit down the storm drain, we block all appropriate drains. Water that does not evaporate is captured and either reused or diverted to campus foliage or an appropriate sanitation drain.(Learn more about UCSD Storm Water Management Program and Sewer System Management Plan.)

Q: What are we doing to help people understand that they can help conserve water?

A: Many groups on campus have been working to increase awareness. You may have noticed an increase in signage in the residence halls, RIMAC, restrooms, and elsewhere on campus.  Campus groups include:

• AQUAholics Anonymous, a student-initiated partnership between students and staff that is raising awareness by attending events and sharing the "12 steps to recover from AQUAholism."
• Sustainable Operations and Environmental Work Group, a group of campus operations and departmental stakeholders that is implementing the goals outlined in the campus Climate Action Plan, including those for reducing water use. Additionally, the SOEWG is working to ensure campus does our part as the 3rd largest water user in San Diego to reduce water use.
• Facilities Management and Housing, Dining & Hospitality teams,  campus operations employees who have been developing strategies to meet and exceed campus water conservation goals.
• Sustainability staff, which is working to share the water conservation message via meetings, events, marketing, and outreach.

We hope this Web site will help spread the word. Feel free to share it with your friends and colleagues.