Water Conservation

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is committed to conserving water in Southern Nevada by reducing landscape water use on our campuses through turf reduction and the use of smart irrigation controllers.

Turf Conversion

Since September 2003 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ has reduced landscape water use by 25% by converting turf areas to xeriscape that uses native desert vegetation and rocks.

  • Total square footage converted: 1,076,196 sq. ft.
  • Annual water savings: 77,320,740 gallons

View Additional Turf Replacement Locations (1988-present)

Drone image of the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Football practice field.

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Football’s practice field 

Turf Conversion Highlights

Below is a list of significant changes we have made on campus:

  • Xeriscape Garden East of the Harry Reid Center/Marjorie Barrick Museum
    • Square footage: 42,476 
    • Year completed: 1988
  • Area East of Humanities
    • Square footage: 6,888 
    • Year completed: 1995
      • This project was one of the first used to measure water savings from converting turf to xeriscape.
  • 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Football Practice Field
    • Square footage: 161,640
    • Year completed: 2003
  • Lawn North of the Residence Halls
    • Square footage: 48,750
    • Year completed: 2003
  • Central Desert Complex
    • Square footage: 90,450
    • Years completed: 2002 and 2003
  • William D. Carlson (CEB) Valley
    • Square footage: 23,000
    • Year completed: 2012

Central Irrigation Control System

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ is controlled by irrigation smart controllers with custom programming capabilities including odd-even day programming, cycle/soak capabilities, and multiple start times. Through cell service, the controllers are connected to our central computer that runs the irrigation control system.