Dominican University - Irrigation Project

Natural Resource Savings through DRF's Resource Conservation Solutions Program 30 acre University Campus in River Forest, IL

590,160 Lives Improved
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Multi-phase project yielding potable water savings up to 6 million gallons annually

DU Campus BldgDRF conducted a multi-phase project over two years to eliminate non-essential potable water use.

The project cost $123,225. The payback period was less than one year. DRF estimated the annual potable water savings to be 4-6 million gallons.

The original goal was to get a well on campus that would eliminate the use and purchase of domestic water for irrigation of grass areas and a soccer field. Further research exposed the need for cooling tower makeup water as well, and the difficult task of bringing in a well large enough for the job.

A campus walk brought the team to an 80,000 gallon cistern which was ultimately reclaimed for capture of rain & ground water. A water level control system was installed in the cistern to achieve automatic well operation. A new pressure controlled pump station, replenishment well and supply lines completed the new highly efficient irrigation system, eliminating potable water use for irrigation and cooling tower makeup water.

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