Sustainable Water Management at USF: Current Strategies and Future Innovations

Introduction

Take a step back and start to envision a state in crisis, with dried up landscapes and dwindling water supplies threatening the very foundation of communities. Now that is a frightful sight. Well, this was the situation in 2012 when California was faced with one of its most severe droughts in history. The sight of the once lush-green fields and orchards withering away along with dwindling reservoirs was terrifying!

In response to this crisis, Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency lasting five years, prompting the University of San Francisco (USF) to take bold actions. Out of urgency and a sense of responsibility, USF stepped up its commitment to water conservation, realizing that every drop would count in the fight against the harsh drought conditions.

With the drought worsening every other day, USF introduced a multifaceted water-saving approach with the aim to not only comply with state regulations but also reduce its water costs and environmental impact, as well as address concerns from students, staff, and faculty. 

The campus was to go on to implement a number of various water-saving strategies, including high-efficiency appliances, low-flow fixtures, and drought-tolerant landscaping, resulting in significant reductions of 29.8% in overall (domestic 24.2% & irrigation 56.8%) water consumption on campus from 2014 to 2024 (Hsu, 2024). Now that’s what I am talking about, kudos USF! 

Alright, now that USF has excelled in water-saving strategies, we can all rest easy and focus on other sustainability initiatives, right? Wrong! “Wait, what?” one may inquire in utter shock. Well, not so fast, at least not with the ever-mounting pressures from climate change and urbanization that push us to explore additional solutions to enhance water efficiency and resilience on campus. Therefore, this blog post aims to highlight USF’s current initiatives and their strengths, and introduce five innovative water-saving technologies that will help the university continue to advance its commitment to a sustainable future. This way, USF can be a model for sustainable water management by leveraging these cutting-edge solutions and aligning itself with regional and national conservation goals.

USF’s Water-Saving Initiatives

Water Efficiency Measures (Hsu, 2024): 

• In 2016, replaced ~300 showerheads, reducing flow rates from 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm) to 1.5 gpm
• In 2016, replaced ~600 faucet aerators, reducing flow rates from 2.2 gpm to 0.5-1.0 gpm
• Between 2016-2021, replaced ~130 toilets and urinals reducing flow rates from 3.5 gallons per flush (gpf) to 1.28 gpf for toilets and from 1.0 gpf to 0.125 gpf for urinals
• In 2015, installed a high efficiency industrial dishwasher with estimated water savings of 700,000 gallons annually
• Installed high-efficiency washing machines through laundry equipment leasing
• In 2017, installed a new pool filtration system with annual water consumption reducing from 2.1 million gallons to 470,000 gallons

Water Conservation Strategies (Hsu, 2024):

• Installed 5-minute shower timers from 2015-2017
• Browning peripheral lawns during drought years from 2015-2017 and 2021-2023
• Replaced lawns with drought-tolerant landscaping at
  • Part of Lo Schiavo construction between 2011-13
  • Part of Lone Mountain East construction between 2019-21
• Re-landscaped both sides of Spanish Steps in 2021
• Replaced the lawn on Ulrich Field with artificial turf using eco-friendly coconut and rice husk infill in 2016
• Replaced the lawn on Welch Field with nonfill artificial turf, providing a durable, low-maintenance solution for multi-use spaces while conserving water in 2023
• Ongoing placement of educational signage in strategic places since 2015

Water Use Tracking (Hsu, 2024):

• Consolidated water accounts between 2015-2016
  • Merged multiple water usage accounts into one centralized system, which greatly improved efficiency in tracking and managing consumption across different campus areas
• Implemented automated water meters between 2015-2016
  • Installed advanced meters that automatically track water usage, providing real-time data that allows for better efficiency, monitoring, and quicker response to any issues that may arise from time to time

Results and Impact of Water-saving Strategies

• Domestic Water Use: Decreased from 53.3 million gallons in FY 2014 to 40.4 million gallons in FY 2024 (24.2% reduction) (Hsu, 2024)

• Irrigation Water Use: Reduced from 11.1 million gallons in FY 2014 to 4.8 million gallons in FY 2024 (56.8% reduction) (Hsu, 2024)

• Total Water Savings: Overall reduction from 64.4 million gallons in FY 2014 to 45.2 million gallons in FY 2024 (29.8% decrease) (Hsu, 2024)

Opportunities in the Future

Now that USF has successfully optimized fixture efficiency, trying to reduce flow rates further would risk compromising the user experience, given improvements through fixture efficiency have thoroughly been exhausted. The university can instead explore more innovative strategies that build on its current achievements.

The five cutting-edge technologies discussed hereafter offer great potential for reducing water consumption while enhancing the university’s commitment to sustainability. These include: greywater systems, rainwater harvesting, soil moisture Sensors, leak detection systems, and smart irrigation controllers

1. Greywater Systems: 

Description:
These systems recycle wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry for non-potable uses such as irrigation and toilet flushing, thus reducing the demand for potable water. 

Current Status at USF: 

• There are currently no greywater systems in use at USF, which presents a unique opportunity for future adoption (Hsu, 2024).

Potential Benefits:

• Water Savings: Greywater reuse has the potential to reduce potable water consumption by up to 27% in single-family and by 38% in multifamily homes (Yu et al., 2015).
• Cost Efficiency: These systems can lead to reduced water bills overtime. (Yu et al., 2015).
• Environmental Impact: Using greywater also minimizes discharge into wastewater treatment facilities (Li et al., 2009).

Challenges

• High Initial Costs: In San Francisco, individual costs for implementing greywater systems range from $4,411 for single-family homes to $287,748 for multistory buildings (Munoz, 2016).
• Regulatory Compliance: Local regulations may require detailed system designs and permits.
• Maintenance: Regular cleaning and monitoring should be done to curb system failures (Ahmed & Arora, 2012).

Case Study: PureWaterSF

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) Headquarters boasts of an innovative greywater system that reduces water consumption by up to 65%. This system effectively recycles 80% of water for toilet flushing, that results in an annual savings of 800,000 gallons. The PureWaterSF project is a model for sustainable urban practices, demonstrating the advantages of greywater systems. Its success provides valuable insights for USF’s potential greywater implementation.

Recommendations for USF:

• Carry out feasibility studies to evaluate retrofitting options as well as the most ideal type of greywater system that can satisfy USF’s needs.
• Collaborate with PureWaterSF to obtain technical and regulatory support.
• Apply for state and local grants to help reduce high initial costs of investment.

2. Rainwater Harvesting:

Description  

These systems capture and store rainwater from rooftops and other surfaces for non-potable purposes, like irrigation and toilet flushing. This practice reduces dependence on municipal water supplies which aligns with sustainability objectives seamlessly.  

Current Status at USF  

• There is but one rainwater cistern which is located at the Lo Schiavo Center for Science & Innovation with a capacity of about 28,000 gallons (Hsu, 2024). 
• This cistern gathers rainwater from rooftop catchment areas but currently isn’t yet fully utilized since this water has to meet a certain level of treatment for designated non-potable applications (Hsu, 2024). 

Potential Benefits  

• Drought Resilience: Helps reduce reliance on municipal water supplies thus enhancing resilience to drought
• Cost Reduction: Lowers water utility bills through the utilization of a free resource
• Environmental Impact: Decreases stormwater runoff into the city’s drainage system, hence alleviating pressure on water infrastructure during heavy and intense rainfall
• Sustainability Impact: Exemplifies USF’s leadership in pioneering sustainable water management initiatives

Challenges  

• Additional piping and distribution networks are necessary to extend utility campus-wide. 
• Filtration and treatment are a must before reusing the water for certain non-potable applications.
• Effectiveness depends on seasonal precipitation levels.

Case Study: University of Arizona  

The University of Arizona has taken the lead in rainwater harvesting in the arid desert setting, highlighting its potential in areas with limited water resources. Notable buildings, including ENR2 and CAPLA, include rainwater harvesting systems. The ENR2 cistern can hold 11,600 gallons and saves 230,000 gallons of potable water each year. This initiative provides valuable insights for USF, illustrating the impact of innovative strategies in fostering meaningful change.  

Recommendations:  

• Install Filtration Systems: Include filtration and treatment technologies to the rainwater harvesting system to allow the use of rainwater for irrigation and non-potable indoor applications.
• Leverage Incentives: Take advantage of rebates and funding opportunities, such as those offered by the SFPUC, to reduce high initial installation costs.
• Adopt real-time control systems: Incorporate real-time controlled rainwater harvesting systems to enhance operational efficiency and lessen maintenance needs.
• Engage the Community: Endeavor to raise awareness among students and staff regarding the advantages of the cistern to generate support for its complete utilization.

3. Advanced Leak Detection Services: Pinpointing Water Leaks with Precision

Description:
Cutting-edge leak detection technologies, such as acoustic leak detectors, leak noise correlators, ground penetrating radar (GPR), and video pipe inspections, allow for accurate identification of leaks within water distribution and irrigation systems. With these techniques, early detection of problems can easily be facilitated, reducing water wastage and avoiding expensive repairs.

Current Situation at USF:  

USF is presently using conventional techniques for leak detection, which are likely to identify major leaks but only after they have resulted in damage or considerable loss of water.

Potential Benefits:

• Early Detection: These systems allow for prompt identification of leaks crucial in avoiding significant water wastage and protecting of infrastructure from damage.
• Cost-Effectiveness: These systems also help to quickly identify leaks which helps lower repair expenses and prevent interruptions in service.
• Environmental Impact: Help in reducing the environmental impact resulting from water waste, particularly treated water, as well as the energy consumed in pumping this water

Challenges:

• Complexity: These systems require specific tools and knowledge for setup and upkeep.
• Data Management: They also demand precise evaluation of live sensor data to reliably identify leaks.

Case Study 1: San Pedro, California

• In the coastal town of San Pedro, California, an undetected threat jeopardized the community’s water conservation initiatives. A concealed leak that was wasting 23 gallons of water per minute had remained undiscovered until GPRS’s advanced leak detection services intervened. By employing cutting-edge technology, GPRS accurately located the leak and helped repair it, averting significant water loss and possible harm to the nearby infrastructure. This accomplishment highlights the importance of proactive leak detection in protecting our water resources.

Case Study 2: Town of New Castle, New York

• In New Castle, New York, a baffling water loss problem plagued the local water system. The situation changed when GPRS sent out their expert team equipped with leak correlators and acoustic leak detection technology. The town saved 125,000 gallons of water per day as a result of GPRS’ careful examination and detection of concealed leaks. By utilizing advanced leak detection methods to foster water sustainability, this outstanding achievement not only conserved an essential resource but also highlighted its significant benefits.

Recommendations:  

• Prioritize leak detection in high-risk areas such as dormitories, academic buildings, sports facilities, and older structures.
• Implement a preventive maintenance program to minimize prolonged water loss and prevent damage to infrastructure.
• Merge leak detection efforts with existing smart meters to enable real-time monitoring and more accurate tracking of water usage.
• Examine data from leak detection so as to improve infrastructure planning and optimize future water conservation efforts.

4. Soil Moisture Sensors:

Description:

These are designed to monitor moisture levels within the soil, offering real-time data that helps in optimizing irrigation scheduling. This technology ensures that plants receive the right amount of water at the precise time they need it.

Current Status at USF:

At the moment, USF does not deploy soil moisture sensors in its landscaping or irrigation systems.

Potential Benefits:

• Helps reduce overwatering by up to 30%
• Maintains optimal soil moisture levels which enhances plant health
• Can easily be integrated with smart irrigation controllers for automated water management

Challenges:

• Maintenance Needs: Sensors require periodic calibration and cleaning to obtain accurate readings.

Recommendations:

• Leverage Data Integration: Sensors need to be connected with automated irrigation controllers to allow for real-time adjustments.

• Combine with Smart Irrigation Systems: Enhance current systems with scheduling based on soil moisture level to ensure water is applied precisely when required.

5. Smart Irrigation Controllers:

Description: 

These systems utilize weather data and soil moisture levels to automatically adjust irrigation schedules.

Current Status at USF: 

Currently, USF hasn’t incorporated smart irrigation controllers into its irrigation management strategy yet. 

Potential Benefits:

• Water Savings: These controllers can reduce water consumption by up to 30%. This translates to an average of about 15,000 gallons of water saved annually per household.

Challenges:

• Connectivity: These systems require access to the internet.
• Maintenance: They also need regular software updates and system checks to maintain optimal performance. 

Case Study: City of Santa Monica

The City of Santa Monica has installed 107 smart irrigation controllers across parks and facilities, tailoring watering schedules based on prevailing weather conditions. Given these controllers also monitor irregular water flow, water wastage is prevented. As a result, water usage in parks and public landscapes in the city has decreased by 30% between 2013 to 2017, which has significantly enhanced the city’s water conservation efforts. 

Recommendations:

• Install smart irrigation controllers to complement existing irrigation systems, as this will optimize water use based on real-time data.
• Integrate these controllers with soil moisture sensors and weather stations to further enhance efficiency.

Conclusion:

As the University of San Francisco envisions the future, emerging technologies offer considerable potential for further enhancement for sustainable water management. With advanced solutions such as greywater systems, rainwater harvesting, smart irrigation controllers, and sophisticated leak detection services, USF can further decrease its water usage, enhance operational efficiency, and position itself as a leader in sustainability. By integrating one or more of these technologies, USF can bolster its resilience while setting a powerful example for institutions across the nation, resulting in water savings, cost reductions, and notable environmental benefits.

 

References
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