Utility Services

Water Conservation Efforts

Water Conservation Efforts
Phone: (970) 351-2446
Fax: (970) 351-1170

The University of Northern Colorado, as a State agency, is exempt from watering restrictions imposed by the City of Greeley. However, Facilities Management has implemented water conservation measures to better manage our water use. We have eliminated afternoon watering between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. by making the necessary changes to our automated sprinkler systems, and by establishing procedural changes for how we manage our manual sprinkler systems. We are also pursuing the expansion of the non-potable watering system, which currently services Nottingham Field, the Butler-Hancock Practice Fields, and the Xeric Demonstration Park, but given the University's budget situation, it is not clear as to when we may implement our expansion plans.

Other conservation measures we have put into effect include a campus-wide mechanical equipment survey to verify correct function that could otherwise overuse water, the closing of the Motor Pool car wash, and we have asked Residence Life to post conservation tips (e.g. shorter showers, not running the water while brushing teeth, etc.) throughout the Residence Halls, both for summer camp participants and for the academic year guests.

If you see a sprinkler system problem, such as a broken sprinkler head, misaligned sprinkler head, or stuck sprinkler zone, please call the Service Center at 351-2446 between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., or UNC PD at 351-2245 after hours to report the problem!

To further our conservation efforts, we are also asking for your help. It’s accepted that finding ways to conserve water in an office setting may be a bit more difficult than it would be at home, but please try to conserve whenever and however possible. When rinsing that coffee pot, maybe fill it only ¼ of the way, rather than ½. If there are multiple pots, use the water from one pot to rinse the other one. If you have plants in your office, use the water from the rinsed pot to feed the plant (they love coffee!). If your office uses dishes and silverware, perhaps using paper products for the time being might be an alternative to washing dishes. If your office has a hand sink, make sure that your faucets and shutoff valves are working properly; if there’s a drip, please contact the Service Center at 351-2446 so we can send a plumber to fix your sink! When washing your hands, try running the water only when wetting your hands, and not when lathering and scrubbing.

If you have other ideas that might be helpful for the campus setting, or know of additional web-based resources for water conservation, please click here. A new window will open to bring you to our suggestion submittal form.

The following links should open in a new browser window:

• Information on indoor water conservation.
• Information on outdoor water conservation.
• Information on Greeley's watering restrictions.

Here are some suggestions for reducing campus water use in offices:

• Rinse multiple coffee pots with the same water.
• Use dirty dishwater or coffee pot water to feed plants - some plants like dishwater!
• Washing hands - only use water when wetting hands; don't let the water run when scrubbing!
• Use wet cleaning products rather than water to clean desks, tables, or other surfaces.
• Use less water to rinse dishes (e.g. coffee pots).