Water
GOAL: Net zero water. Reduce water use by 120M gallons.
Goal update
Baseline: 225,164,787 gallons
CY 2025: 182,824,655 gallons (18.8% decrease)
Goal: 104,625,094 gallons
Cumulative savings: Since 2012, the med center has saved approximately 411,482,000 gallons of water—equivalent to 623 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The med center water goal represents the natural water budget provided on campus, or the amount of water that falls on the campus as rain or snow in an average year. Water use on campus falls into three categories. Building (indoor) water use accounts for the largest amount of water used. Chillers and boilers, which are used to cool and heat buildings, are the second largest water users. Irrigation (outdoor) water use accounts for the least amount of water used on campus. There are multiple efforts across campus to reduce water use.
Recent Efforts
2021 Medical Center Water Use
Prairie Conversion
The Medical Center has installed two urban prairie plots on campus through a Nebraska Environmental Trust grant-funded project. These areas were covered in lawn grass, which requires irrigation to establish and maintain. The prairie habitat will not require ongoing irrigation, which will lead to a reduction in overall water use. Additional benefits include human wellbeing, support of biodiversity and wildlife, erosion control, and carbon sequestration.
Every Drop Counts.
Since spring 2019, the LiveGreen Ambassadors have promoted the “Every Drop Counts” campaign to identify practical opportunities for water conservation across campus. Through outreach and education efforts, ambassadors have engaged staff and students in adopting water-saving practices and advancing responsible water stewardship.
Upgrades.
The Facilities Team continues to update older systems with newer, more water efficient technology including faucets with aerators, new water softeners, and a new dishwasher in the Nebraska Café.
Upcoming Projects
Landscaping.
The Medical Center continues to advance sustainable landscaping practices that enhance the campus environment while reducing irrigation demands, resource use, and long-term maintenance needs. By incorporating drought-tolerant, native plantings, and expanding the campus canopy, the campus is creating a more resilient, water-efficient landscape.
Clarkson Tower Refrigerators
Several walk-in refrigerators that are on a non-recirculating water-cooling system are being replaced, which will reduce water use.