Utah is heading into another dry summer, and the University of Utah is planning ahead. Water conservation plans have to balance both short-term and long-term concerns:

• Keeping our 1,500-acre State Arboretum campus landscapes alive and functioning.
• Avoiding large-scale plant loss, which would actually require more water to reestablish, we saw this during the summer 2022 drought and felt the pain.
• Following the state and Salt Lake City watering guidelines.
• Preparing for a long, hot and dry summer ahead, with little winter precipitation as a starting point.

Over the past several years, the university has been converting campus turf landscape each year to water-wise designs, and that work will continue. In 2025 alone, more than 100,000 square feet were converted to low-water-use plantings and irrigation upgrades. But conservation is not just about changing landscapes; it is also about making sure existing landscapes are as prepared as possible to use every drop of water efficiently.

Laying the groundwork for 2026

In 2026, the university’s irrigation and landscape teams are focused on strengthening campus soils and plants before peak summer heat arrives. This includes:

• Fertilizing turf to support healthier, denser grass that can trap moisture and reduce evaporation.
• Overseeding with drought-tolerant grass, allowing more resilient varieties to naturally outcompete existing turf without a full die off, which helps limit dust and protect local air quality.
• Aerating lawns so irrigation water can soak deeper into the soil and reach plant roots instead of running off.
• Revitalizing the university’s well-water system to reduce strain on the Salt Lake City drinking water supply by more than 20 million gallons.
• Improving irrigation monitoring and response times through upgraded WeatherTRAK smart controllers and flow sensors.
• Installing new waterwise landscapes in targeted areas across campus with $600,000 of Capital Improvement funds invested in FY26.

These decisions are made carefully to balance immediate water savings and long-term ecosystem health. Review the Landscape Master Plan here.

How the campus community can help

As Utah’s flagship institution, the university values its responsibility to lead by example. Maintaining a healthy campus ecosystem while reducing water use is a shared effort.

Students, staff and faculty can make a real difference by reporting irrigation issues to U Facilities as soon as they are spotted. Quick reporting helps prevent water waste and plant damage.

For irrigation tune-up requests, click here. (uNID is required)

• Broken sprinkler heads or ruptured drip irrigation lines, irrigation leaks can look like continuous water flowing, muddy areas or mud/bark mulch washing out of landscape beds or into sidewalks.
• Excessive overspray (greater than two feet) onto sidewalks. Some overspray is natural due to changing wind or unique bed edges, but sprinkler heads can easily be bumped and need realignment.
• Concern about irrigation operating outside of approved watering hours.

For more details about how campus irrigation works, including updated WeatherTRAK smart irrigation controllers, and what projects are underway, check out the U Facilities irrigation website.

Together, small actions and smart planning help the U stay resilient through drought—today and into the future.