UNC Non Potable Irrigation Applic

• Project Type: Ag/Muni Grant
• Applicant: University of Northern Colorado
• Project Name: UNC Non-Potable Irrigation System Usage and Cost Comparison
• Title: Grant Application
• Date: 6/30/1993
• County: Weld
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Application

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INTRODUCTION

The University of Northern Colorado (UNC) was founded in 1889 as the State
Normal School at Greeley, Colorado. At that time, it consisted of one building
on a barren hillside. Today, the campus, which consists of 236 acres, comprise
two main areas, the central campus and west campus. The central campus is the
older traditional campus while the west campus reflects the modern architecture
of the 1960's and is the site of all future growth.

The enrollment is 10,328 (58.3% women, 41.7% men, 15.9% graduate) students
representing all 50 states and 50 foreign countries. UNC is known during the
summer months as the training site of the Denver Bronco Football team.

COLORADO WATER CONSERVATION ACT (HB 91-1154)

The Colorado Water Conservation Act requires water use efficiency in state
government. Of the three requirements affecting all state departments the third
requirement most affected this university: each state agency must adopt a water
efficiency plan by January 1, 1993. While preparing this plan it was discovered
that UNC had water rights that were going unused. It is UNC's purpose, in this
proposal to make wiser decisions in the use of this resource.

UNC HISTORY OF WATER USE FOR LAWN MAINTENANCE

Records indicate that, historically, UNC has purchased all of its water
from the City of Greeley. This treated water has been used both for lawn
maintenance and building use. In 1992, UNC used approximately 150,000,000
gallons of water for lawns and playing fields on both campuses at a cost of
$152,000. Eighty two (82) acres of Kentucky blue grass were maintained on the
west campus and the central campus has thirty six (36) acres of grass.

In preparing the water efficiency plan it was discovered that UNC had water
rights to 573.5 acre feet of water (please see Appendix I for distribution of
rights) which was not being used at all by the university. It was further
discovered that UNC was renting out this water to local farms for $3,130 which
did not cover irrigation company assessments. The University simply continued
past practices of selling irrigation water with no conceived thought given to
developing a plan to use irrigation water. The Colorado Water Conservation
Board request for proposal (RFP) caused UNC to ask, "What could we do
differently to conserve water?"

CATEGORY OF WATER CONSERVATION-MULTIPURPOSE WATER SYSTEMS
DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

UNC seeks funds to support the conversion from treated city water to the
use of raw water (untreated irrigation water) for use on their lawns and playing
fields during the months of May to September. UNC owns sufficient water rights
and ditch rights to transport water to the west campus and then, to other
distribution points within the two campuses.

UNC seeks funding to purchase materials and professional services needed.

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