Water
CSUN is located in a region characterized by an insufficient supply of local water to serve its population. CSUN’s commitment is to be a good steward of water resources, and to conserve wherever possible.
Main Strategies
- Improve conservation practices and reduce water consumption
- Improve data collection, management and analysis
- Increase awareness of water as a valuable resource and educate on water conservation principles
Objectives for 2023
- 15% reduction in water consumption
- Measure, record, and analyze water consumption on a facility level
- Increase awareness of water-related issues by students, faculty, and staff
2020-21 Priorities and Outcomes
- Expand water metering and tie each new meter into the campus Energy Information System.
- New smart water meters were installed on The Soraya, USU F Plant, Sierra Center and USU main. These new smart water meters have detected several water leaks or running plumbing fixtures since their installation. The data from these meters will be integrated into the campus Energy Information System.
- Establish water use baselines and goals for buildings with new water meters.
- This goal was not achieved as we were unable to install new water meters on our campus buildings. Once these meters are installed we will pursue this priority.
- Develop an educational campaign to increase awareness of water-related issues.
- The Institute partnered with AltaSea, a local organization dedicated to accelerating scientific collaboration, advancing an emerging blue economy through business innovation and job creation, and inspiring the next generation, for a more sustainable, just and equitable world. Together, the Sustainable Ocean Economies Initiative (SOEI) was formed. The partnership includes many projects including a four-part webinar series that highlighted the emerging aquaculture sector in the economy.
Other Highlights
- Over 58,000 square feet of CSUN's grounds were converted to drought-tolerant, native plants. These species require far less water than grass while also providing food for pollinators.
- New smart meters have already detected leaks in select buildings, saving hundreds of gallons of water.
- CSUN's water usage for fiscal year 2020-2021 was approximately 7% lower than FY2019-2020. Despite lower on-campus population, lower annual rainfall prevented CSUN's irrigation from being shut off as it was in the previous year.
2021-22 Priorities
- Continue expanding drought-tolerant landscaping throughout campus.
- Sub-meter at least five new campus buildings prioritizing higher occupancy/use buildings.
- Complete two new hydrogel injections.
Other
Waterless and Low-Flow Urinals
Issue:
WA1.1
Priority:
1
Strategy:
Review urinals and use low-flow or waterless as appropriate.
Status:
In-progress.
Campus: 265 waterless urinals, 3-5 low flow, 20+- low flow dual flush.
USU: All waterless urinals.
Party Responsible:
PPM
Next/Action Items:
On-going. Continue implementation throughout campus.
Retrofit Plumbing Fixtures
Issue:
WA1.2
Priority:
1
Strategy:
Retrofit plumbing fixtures across campus as needed, prioritizing high consumption areas like commercial kitchens and toilets.
Status:
In-progress.
Campus: 1,100 sink aerators
Next low flow shower heads
USU- continuing installation of low flow toilets, aerators
Housing- low flow toilets
TUC- Low Flow toilets, waterless urinals, dual flush valves, aerators Bookstore and Sierra center not done.
Party Responsible:
PPM, Housing
Next/Action Items:
On-going. Continue implementation throughout campus.
Construction Projects
Issue:
WA1.3
Priority:
No further action.
Strategy:
Minimize water consumption during construction projects
Status:
Buildings will be built per current energy and water codes.
Party Responsible:
FPDC, PPM
Next/Action Items:
On-going.
Leak Detection and Repairs
Issue:
WA1.4
Priority:
3
Strategy:
Implement routine leak detection and repair program
Status:
Irrigation system is being upgraded to detect for leaks, breaks, take into consideration weather data, and display important alerts in the grounds shop on a monitor. Irrigation strike team active. Project to be completed over summer.
Party Responsible:
PPM, Housing, USU
Next/Action Items:
On-going. PPM needs to investigate infrared imaging for leak detection.
Reduce Landscaped Areas
Issue:
WA1.5
Priority:
1
Strategy:
Reduce amount of irrigated landscaping.
Status:
65,000 sqft of turf replacement this FY year. Redwood Hall, Arbor Grill, Lindley/Plummer complete.
Another 266,000 sqft planned.
Party Responsible:
FPDC
Next/Action Items:
On-going.
Drought Tolerant Plants
Issue:
WA1.6
Priority:
1
Strategy:
Use more drought tolerant plant species in landscaping.
Status:
PPM has developed a list of 35 drought tolerant plants and low water use trees. Any turf replacements projects will have drought tolerant vegetation planted. USU mainly drought tolerant, planting drought tolerant vegetation.
Party Responsible:
FPDC, PPM
Next/Action Items:
On-going.
Reclaimed Water and Runoff
Issue:
WA1.7
Priority:
3
Strategy:
Assess use of reclaimed water for irrigation when permitted by Los Angeles County/LADWP
Status:
FPDC met with LADWP and LA Bureau of Sanitation to see if they would be interested in partnering on a water treatment facility. Unfortunately their master plan does not include satellite treatment plants.
Party Responsible:
FPDC, PPM, Housing, USU
Next/Action Items:
In-progress. PPM and FPDC need to do a runoff analysis and determine the ideal locations for storage/holding tanks.
Water Reuse opportunities
Issue:
WA1.8
Priority:
3
Strategy:
Examine other opportunities for water reuse including capture of condensate from campus HVAC system
Status:
Potential to use Fuel Cell water for irrigation or another alternative use.
Party Responsible:
FPDC, PPM, Housing, USU
Next/Action Items:
PPM and FPDC need to investigate Fuel Cell water reuse options.
Historical Water Use Data
Issue:
WA2.1
Priority:
2
Strategy:
Compile and report historical water use data
Status:
Historical water use data is being collected and will be maintained in the Advantage software.
Party Responsible:
IS, PPM, Housing, USU
Next/Action Items:
On-going.
Periodic Water Audits
Issue:
WA2.2
Priority:
2
Strategy:
Conduct periodic water audit at least once every 5 years
Status:
Custodial and Facility workers check for leaks in restrooms every day during working hours. Signage is also posted in every restroom to allow for the campus community to report leaks. Irrigation strike teams active. 23% of campus is complete.
Party Responsible:
FPDC, PPM
Next/Action Items:
On-going. PPM needs to set up meter reading verification system.
Sub-Meter Campus Buildings
Issue:
WA2.3
Priority:
3
Strategy:
Sub-meter campus buildings prioritizing higher occupancy/use buildings
Status:
Discussions on whether submetering a building is needed vs submetering at various locations around the loop.
Party Responsible:
PPM, Housing, USU
Next/Action Items:
FPDC and PPM need to develop a strategy for water metering and create a plan for water meters.
Sub-Meter Irrigation Zones
Issue:
WA2.4
Priority:
3
Strategy:
Sub-meter irrigation zones
Status:
Irrigation system is sub-metered through the flow sensors that are installed at each of the 60+ controllers. This should be completed by mid-summer.
Party Responsible:
PPM, Housing, USU
Next/Action Items:
In-progress.
New Student Orientation
Issue:
WA3.1
Priority:
Strategy:
Include information on water consumption and conservation in new student orientation
Status:
See Education section.
Party Responsible:
AS, IS
Next/Action Items:
On-going.
Information in Housing
Issue:
WA3.2
Priority:
Strategy:
Include information on water consumption and conservation in sustainability campaign in
student housing.
Status:
New signage will be place throughout housing to remind students not to leave water on or running unnecessarily.
Party Responsible:
Housing, FPDC, IS
Next/Action Items:
In-progress.
New Employee Orientation
Issue:
WA3.3
Priority:
Strategy:
Include information on water consumption and conservation in staff/faculty orientations
Status:
No action taken.
Party Responsible:
IS, FPDC
Next/Action Items:
Need to work with HR to develop a training session.
Increased Water Signage
Issue:
WA3.4
Priority:
Strategy:
Increase messaging about water conservation
Status:
Water signage posted throughout campus and will be added to.
Party Responsible:
FPDC, PPM, IS
Next/Action Items:
On-going.
Students at Water Day
Issue:
WA3.5
Priority:
Strategy:
Increase student involvement in World Water Day event
Status:
Water day is held every year and has had a great turn out again this year.
Party Responsible:
IS
Next/Action Items:
On-going.
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