Frank

I cannot tell you how many times I've walked to class across campus and lost count of the inefficient lawn watering practices used by the University of Kansas. I have never been a homeowner, but growing up in north Texas, I did have to pay attention to the water restrictions during the summer drought months.

Improper water use on its 950 acre campus will cost the University millions over the years. KU adopted an Environmental Policy in 1997 and listed eight specific goals; among them: "Minimize water use through efficient management and practice", and "Be attentive to biodiversity and environmental concerns in planning and landscape decisions." However, I often question whether the University is really documenting rainfall to minimize irrigation or using non-potable water for all the lovely landscaped hills on Mount Oread.

It isn't just one little sprinkler in front of Douthart Scholarship Hall that gets me heated. For the 2006 fiscal year, KU Facilities Operations-maintained irrigation systems used 6,871,580 gallons of water according to a spring 2007 Audit of the Campus Landscape. This does not include the 4,989,900 gallons used by KU Athletics for their sports fields. In all, there are 22 irrigation systems located though out campus, 8 of which are located on West Campus.

KU was named one of the 12 most beautiful campuses in North America by author Thomas A. Gaines in his 1991 book, The Campus as a Work of Art. He was particularly struck by the "large amounts of open green space incorporated into the KU landscape." So in order to keep these luscious green areas beautiful, I thought I would share some of the tips I learned as an eighth grader (with help from RainBird) so maybe fewer of my tuition dollars will be used to water an asphalt surface at high noon:

1. Watch your watch
Water between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. when the sun is low, winds are calm and temperatures are cool. Setting the sprinkler to run at noon is inefficient because evaporation and windy conditions during the day. Even Texans understand this point.

2. Water only things that grow
Sidewalks, cars and streets waste money. Adjust sprinkler heads to avoid them. Bonus tip: sprinkler head should spray large droplets of water instead of a fine mist to minimize evaporation and wind drift.

3. Keep your eye on the sky
Adjust your irrigation system as the seasons and weather change. It's pointless to turn on an irrigation system if Mother Nature has already picked up the tab.

4. Don't drown
The greatest waste of water comes from applying too much, too often. Instead of watering for one long session, water a few times for shorter periods and take 15-minute breaks in between each session. This will allow water to soak in, while minimizing runoff. Kansas doesn't need more flooding.

5. Do routine inspections
Check sprinklers to make sure everything is working properly. We've all seen the sprinkler head pouring water across mulch. Don't be the culprit of water waste.