How the U of A is managing one of Arizona's most valuable resources
By Kendall Sternberg, University Marketing and Communications
In 2022, massive lengths of corrugated metal pipe were burried under the Mall to capture stormwater along Cherry Avenue, mitigating flooding before slowly releasing the water into the ground.
Most days, the university's water system goes unnoticed. Employees fill water bottles, researchers conduct experiments, buildings stay cool and comfortable and native plants thrive, all without a second thought. But behind each of those moments is a carefully managed network of wells, reclaimed water, monitoring systems and stormwater infrastructure designed to make every drop count.
Water stewardship happens all across campus. Some systems are easy to spot, while others work quietly beneath the surface. This gallery features a few places where you can see the university's approach to water management in action.
In the Sonoran Desert, where water is one of the region's most precious resources, responsible management requires long-term planning and collaboration across the university.
"Water security is something we need to think about proactively," said Trevor Ledbetter, senior director of the Office of Sustainability within the new Office of Integrated Campus Planning.
The university's main connection to the city of Tucson's reclaimed water system, designated by purple pipes throughout the city, distributes that water across campus for landscape irrigation.
Kendall Sternberg/University Marketing and Communications
Although headlines about drought and the Colorado River often raise concerns about Arizona's water future, Ledbetter said the U of A is well-positioned thanks to decades of planning and continued investments in infrastructure and conservation.
"Not all is lost. We're not going to run out of water," Ledbetter said. "Tucson Water has been smart about planning for decades, and the sky isn't falling, even if water is becoming a bigger part of the conversation."
Planning ahead
Today, the university is taking an increasingly comprehensive approach to water management. Rather than focusing on individual conservation projects, it is considering how potable water, reclaimed water and stormwater can work together to strengthen campus resilience.
"The main campus is well prepared for reductions in Colorado River allocations," Ledbetter said. "But water is going to become more valuable, and we have to start thinking more holistically about how we manage every water resource we have."
That strategy begins with understanding where campus water comes from.
"About 96% of our potable water comes from the university's own wells," said Michael Hoffman, energy manager in University Facility Services. "The remainder comes from Tucson Water, as needed."
The university also uses reclaimed water wherever it can safely and legally do so, reducing demand for drinking water. Across campus, digital meters help UFS monitor water use, allowing staff to identify unusual consumption and investigate leaks before they become larger problems.
Some of the university's largest water uses happen behind the scenes.
Water from a downspout near Steward Observatory collects in a basin before sinking into the ground.
Kendall Sternberg/University Marketing and Communications
"I think a lot of people would be surprised to learn that one of our biggest uses of potable water is cooling campus buildings," Hoffman said.
Hoffman said the university's cooling systems illustrate the close relationship between energy and water use. Because cooling campus buildings requires water, improving energy efficiency can also help with water conservation.
Irrigation systems at the university also operate based on weather conditions and landscape needs rather than fixed schedules. This helps reduce unnecessary water use while maintaining healthy landscapes.
A culture of conservation
While much of this work happens out of sight, its impact is felt across campus every day, from reliable infrastructure to the university's ability to adapt to a changing climate.
Hoffman said water stewardship is a shared responsibility.
"Water stewardship, like energy stewardship, is an all-hands effort," Hoffman said. "The first way to reduce water consumption is to build a culture of conservation. Every member of the university community has a role to play."
Most employees may never think about where their water comes from, and that's a sign the system is working. Behind every refilled water bottle, cooled building and thriving landscape is a network of people, infrastructure and long-term planning that quietly keeps campus running. While water stewardship is an ongoing effort, its success can be measured by something simple: making sure the U of A community has the water it needs today while preparing for whatever tomorrow brings.