Water Conservation
UNLV 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 UNLV 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
UNLV 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.
- UNLV 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
UNLV 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.