Background

Current estimates show that over 40% of potable municipal water resources are applied to lawns and gardens, with even greater usage in urban centers. Furthermore, with water demand in Texas projected to increase by 22% by 2060 and the inevitability of future drought, it is more important than ever to diversify and conserve our state’s water resources to meet the needs of a growing population. Texas A&M AgriLife’s Water University engages with cities, organizations, and the public in regional and statewide educational programming, designs and installs water efficient landscapes and rainwater harvesting systems and directs research and product testing. The goal of Water University is to raise awareness about conserving and protecting water resources across the state by taking a collaborative, research-based approach to education and outreach and focusing on practical innovation.

Project

Water University partners with over 60 municipalities and water districts in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex to conduct educational programs targeting homeowners in the effort to reduce landscape water usage – the largest single use of potable water in North Texas. The Water University team conducts ~240 programs/year within this project area, reaching over 20,000 homeowners. Additionally, Water University engages with industry professionals at trade fairs and expos, spreading the message of water conservation at 20-25 regional events yearly. Water University worked with several local partners to design and refurbish a WaterSense Labeled Home for demonstration and training purposes, in addition to the world’s first WaterSense Labeled Multi-Family Unit and a mobile demonstration unit. Most recently, the state-of-the-art Water Education Building at the AgriLife Research Center – Dallas was completed in 2018, with an associated demonstration landscape to be completed this year.

Restoration and Community Impact

Water University is the state’s most comprehensive water conservation education collaborative in the region, with goals of extending their message across the state. By working with dozens of community partners – city planners, water providers, HOAs, naturalists and gardeners, and more – Water University has been able to reach thousands of homeowners and others with conservation education. The rainwater harvesting course is the most popular program taught at Water University – participants have completed over 20,000 rain barrels by 2019, equating to 46 million gallons of potable water savings annually. Additionally, AgriLife manages the seven-acre Benny J. Simpson Ecopark accompanying the new Water Education building, and includes over 100 species of native and adapted plants, water-saving landscaping, and a rainwater-harvesting 30,000 gallon cistern which irrigates the property and supplies water for the building’s restrooms.