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Sustainability

Water and Grounds

Water Conservation

BYU's campus community understands that water is precious in Utah, where 95 percent of water comes from snowpack. A BYU-led public-private partnership called Grow the Flow aims to replenish the Great Salt Lake, which has shrunk by two-thirds since the late 1980s due to overconsumption and drought. (See Y Magazine's "When in Drought: At the Great Salt Lake and throughout the West, cracks are showing in the water plan. BYU experts have ideas on how to turn the tide.") A culture of conservation on campus has resulted, with students and staff taking steps to reduce water consumption at home and at work. Additionally, many scientific research initiatives at the university are focused on domestic and international water issues, while operational improvements are reducing or replacing turf in highly visible areas of campus, including the main quad between the administration building and the BYU Library. Throughout campus, the ongoing installation of new water meters continues to inform conservation efforts.

Outdoors

Irrigation

BYU has installed cloud-based sprinkler systems and moisture sensors in the soil. Water audits are conducted regularly. Grass, shrubs, and flowers are treated separately with irrigation heads, including MPR rotor heads and xeri-pop heads that use the least amount of water. Drip irrigation is used for shrubs. All valves are connected to a computer irrigation system that considers soil types, sun-orientation, wind, rain and other environmental factors, allowing plants to thrive at maximum evapotranspiration.

Water recovery and reuse

As snow melts or rain falls in the mountains above BYU, it flows via the Provo River to Utah Lake, sustaining critical fish and wildlife habitat. From there it flows via the Jordan River to the Great Salt Lake, a keystone ecosystem. Taking care to minimize water diversions, especially during drought conditions, BYU follows several practices:

  • The campus water master monitors stream flows and reduces outflows—BYU’s allotted secondary water—accordingly, from as little as 20 percent in spring to as much as 100 percent in late summer.
  • Direct precipitation on campus recharges groundwater and returns to Utah Lake via municipal stormwater systems. It also reduces irrigation needs on campus, where sprinkler systems are cloud-based and weather-attuned.
  • Hillsides are covered with mulch for a moderate degree of bioretention and erosion protection. Lawn fertilizers are used sparingly, preventing nutrient runoff.
  • Many campus buildings have roof materials, such as gravel, that attenuate peak runoff.
  • Two underground storage facilities detain runoff before discharging it at a lower rate into Provo City’s storm drain system.
  • Campus sidewalks, roads, and buildings are buffered by grass, flowerbeds, and other pervious materials. This reduces the direct connectivity that would otherwise increase peak flows across impervious surfaces. It also reduces the transport of contaminants into natural waterways.
  • Several places on campus have pavers and pea gravel instead of concrete, allowing for rainwater infiltration.
Rainwater management

BYU's rainwater management efforts comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Utah Department of Natural Resources (Division of Water Resources and Division of Water Rights), Utah Department of Environmental Quality (Division of Water Quality), and Provo City stormwater regulatory requirements to maintain storm water systems, secure permits, follow plans, and minimize impact to the ecosystem. Likewise, new construction on BYU's campus meets Provo City's requirements for rainwater management. Human health and environmental health are priorities for the campus community.

Indoors

BYU has installed high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances and replaced water-cooled condensers with air-cooled condensers to reduce water consumption. This is true at the Missionary Training Center, adjacent to BYU campus and maintained by BYU.

Food service equipment purchased since the end of 2006 is “energy rated” and uses less gas, electricity, and water than comparable models. Dishwaters at the Commons at the Cannon Center recycle water from previous washes for early rinse cycles in the next washing. Specifically, water from the final rinse cycle is used to pre-rinse the next load. For more information, visit BYU Dining Services Sustainability.

Grounds

Lighting and plant selection

Outdoor lighting is designed to reduce light pollution while landscaping is designed to reduce “heat islands,” and incorporate local plant and hardscape materials. Mulch helps with weed control, reduces erosion and provides airspace and water-holding capabilities for green areas across BYU’s roughly 300 acres of maintained landscape. All plants used are either natives to Utah or specific for the zones (2-5) for this area of the U. S. and of low water-wise definition. The Utah State Extension Service Water-Wise list and Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) standards list are used for plant selection decisions.

Organic landscape management program

BYU uses select landscaping and outdoor furnishings that can be maintained without toxic chemicals. Areas treated organically include the stadium east hillside, Wymount Terrace hillside between upper and lower Wymount, south and west campus stream and trail, Hinckley Center hillside, Helaman hillside along Campus Drive and 450 East, and the Materials Handling Area. BYU's native plant garden (south of the Risk Management Building) and Y Mountain Trailhead are also treated organically.

Integrated pest management program

BYU adheres to the following IPM procedures:

  • Action thresholds: Before applying pesticides we determine if the pest population merits the use of pesticide or if it can be controlled through other means (i.e., mechanical or cultural).
  • Prevention: We use plant varieties that are resistant to known pests, use cultural best practices to keep plants as healthy and pest-resistant as possible, and use mechanical controls to minimize pest problems.
  • Monitor: We monitor for pests and identify them so that management decisions about control can be made before pest populations reach the action threshold.
  • Control: If further control is necessary, we determine the best method of control that preserves plants and does the least harm to the surrounding environment. We choose effective, low-risk pesticides first and apply them in such a way as to minimize off-target application.

The university's pest/pesticide/fertilizer lead continues to refine and improve these procedures as needed.