Irrigation
The University of Utah Irrigation team manages and maintains campus irrigation systems to support healthy landscapes while using water as efficiently and responsibly as possible. Our work includes irrigation controllers, valves, lateral and main lines, sprinkler heads, drip systems, and related field equipment across campus. We follow University standards, applicable state requirements, and data-driven irrigation practices to balance plant health, system reliability, and water conservation.
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)
2026 Water Conservation Plan
Water conservation remains a central priority for the University of Utah landscape program. In 2026, our irrigation and landscape teams are focused on the following actions:
- Aerating all of campus in the spring to improve soil oxygen exchange, water infiltration, and root performance
- Increasing fertilizer applications to four times per year to support healthier, denser turf that can use irrigation more effectively
- Committing to use only University-owned well water for campus irrigation wherever our system is designed to serve that purpose to reduce strain on the Salt Lake City water supply by 22 million gallons per year
- Committing to follow State watering guidelines and adjust irrigation practices in accordance with Utah’s current recommendations and conservation guidance
- Adhering to the Salt Lake City water shortage response plan – for example, Stage 2 requires landscape irrigation be restricted to run times between the hours of 8pm and 8am
- Investing $600,000 from Capital Improvement funds (FY26) in water conservancy projects to improve irrigation efficiency, replace non-functional turf areas, and improve long-term system performance
Completed Water Conservation Project Highlights
The University of Utah continues to invest in targeted landscape and irrigation improvements that deliver measurable water savings. Recent project highlights include:
- Total annual water savings of 2.3 million gallons from the following landscape upgrades
- 31% water savings from removing non-functional turfgrass and replacing with low water landscape around the Merrill Engineering parking lot
- 24% water savings by improving irrigation efficiency at the Guardsman parking lot tailgate turfgrass
- Repaired and tested existing landscape irrigation flow sensors. Installed additional landscape irrigation flow sensors to ensure correct monitoring and accounting for landscape water use
- Applied 5,000 pounds of drought tolerant turfgrass seed to campus lawns since 2024.
How We Reduce Water Use
The University of Utah Irrigation team is responsible for monitoring, inspecting, maintaining, and improving irrigated campus landscapes. Our work includes:
- Monitoring irrigation zones and site conditions
- Adjusting schedules based on weather, evapotranspiration, and seasonal demand
- Inspecting systems for leaks, damage, and performance issues
- Repairing and upgrading controllers, valves, heads, drip equipment, and piping
- Supporting healthy turf and landscape performance through coordinated irrigation and agronomic practices
Improving water efficiency by aligning operations with current conservation standards and state watering guidance
Today, our irrigation program is built around updated WeatherTRAK smart irrigation controllers and central control technology. These controllers help us move beyond fixed timer-based irrigation and instead consider evapotranspiration rates, site conditions, and weather via controller-based monitoring tools. WeatherTRAK’s current platform also supports cloud-based management for remote schedule adjustments.
For the University, this means:
- More accurate irrigation scheduling based on real conditions
- Better visibility into system performance and water use
- Faster response to leaks, breaks, and controller issues
- Reduced runoff and overwatering
- Improved labor efficiency through centralized and mobile management
- Better long-term support for campus water conservation goals
- Slow the Flow Slow the Flow is a state-wide campaign proposed by the Governor in August of 2001 in conjunction with the State Water Conservation and Management Plan to reduce the amount of water used per capita by 25 percent. It is a program that encourages citizens to be more water efficient and conserve water. Several agencies and municipalities around in the State including South Jordan City are part of program and encourage Utah residents to participate.
- Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance The Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) is a nonprofit dedicated to advancing water-saving turfgrass through rigorous scientific qualification. TWCA Qualified varieties use up to 40% less water, helping communities preserve green spaces while protecting vital resources.
- Irrigation AssociationIrrigation Association is a national trade group with the following mission: to be the recognized authority in efficient irrigation: promoting innovation, supporting industry growth and sustainability, engaging decision-makers, and serving as the leading, credible and unifying voice and advocate for the industry.
- Utah Division of Water Resources The Utah Division of Water Resources is one of the divisions housed within the Department of Natural Resources. Tasked with planning, conserving, developing and protecting Utah’s water resources, the division earnestly strives to be Utah’s water steward.
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