Water Systems

Stanford’s conservation efforts have saved an average of 1.2 million gallons of potable water per day compared to usage in 2000

Stanford owns, operates and maintains its own water, sewer, and storm drainage systems for the main campus areas in unincorporated Santa Clara County. The university purchases high-quality imported drinking water from San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) from the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System for the domestic water system. It operates a separate non-potable irrigation water system supplied by local surface water diversions, on-site wells, and stormwater capture, ensuring reliable supply under drought, heat, and regulatory uncertainty. This dual-system approach preserves potable water for essential uses and meets irrigation needs through a portfolio of local sources.

With wastewater contributing less than 0.5% of Stanford’s Scope 3 emissions and most campus water supplies, including Hetch Hetchy and Stanford’s domestic lake water systems, operating largely by gravity with minimal pumping energy, water management is primarily a climate resilience consideration rather than a major emissions source.

Over the past two decades, Stanford has reduced potable water use despite significant campus growth. Conservation programs, landscape upgrades, efficient fixtures, and advanced metering support Stanford’s efforts to reduce water demand to remain under the contracted supply from SFPUC and maintain low per-capita potable use relative to its past baseline and regional norms.

Emerging challenges remain, including more frequent droughts, flood risk management, and long-term supply reliability under changing hydrology. Opportunities for innovation and the adoption of new alternative water supplies also exist. Stanford’s Sustainable Water Management Plan guides continued investment in stormwater capture, non-potable (lake water) irrigation systems, and wastewater reuse research to strengthen resilience and reduce reliance on imported water.

Adoption of Sustainable Water Management Principles

Stanford’s water management approach is guided by principles that minimize water demand through conservation and operational efficiency; preserve potable water for potable uses; protect local surface water, groundwater, and stormwater resources; and use these resources at sustainable levels. The university also builds resilience by planning and implementing alternative non-potable supplies for future growth.

Resilience

completed

Water Demand Management

Stanford maintains low per capita water use through monthly budgets, performance tracking, and conservation programs. Infrastructure upgrades, including advanced metering, fixture replacements, and leak detection, further reduce demand, while Facility Design Guidelines for new buildings exceed state efficiency codes to further conserve water.

Resilience

ongoing

Integrated Water Reuse

Stanford has dual-plumbed over 15 buildings for recycled water and assesses all new construction for reuse infrastructure. Dual plumbing enables the expanded use of non-potable water and reduces demand on Stanford’s potable water supply.

Resilience

ongoing

Water System Renewal

Stanford has accelerated upgrades to its water infrastructure, including pipes, pump stations, and wells, to ensure service reliability and adapt to future climate pressures. These improvements strengthen long-term resilience and support sustainable water management across campus.

Resilience

in-progress

Sustainable Groundwater Management

Stanford’s groundwater wells are used to supplement surface water and stormwater in the lake water system. In the event of a disruption in the supply of potable water from SFPUC, groundwater is a back-up potable supply for the campus. The university prioritizes sustainable groundwater management, ensuring withdrawals remain below natural recharge rates. Stanford also supplements groundwater recharge by directing water to Lagunita, where it percolates to the groundwater basin.

Resilience

ongoing

Diversified & Alternative Water Supplies for Non-Potable Uses

Stanford has a longstanding practice of supplying irrigation water systems with non-potable sources. Future plans for expanding that practice are estimated to save up to 500 acre-feet of potable water annually. To support this transition, Stanford is exploring additional non-potable water supplies, including stormwater capture expansion and construction dewatering, and is conducting research into treated wastewater supplies to augment non-potable water for irrigation purposes.

Resilience

in-progress

Maintaining Natural Habitats

Stanford maintains creek diversion facilities with fish ladders and screened intakes, enhances the natural groundwater recharge at Lagunita, and reviews infrastructure like Searsville Dam to balance water supply with habitat health. These efforts protect groundwater quality, enhance watershed resilience, and support long-term ecosystem stewardship.

in-progress

Energy-Water Integration

Stanford is exploring a conceptual Lake Water Heat Exchange System that would connect campus water and energy systems, using lake water for heat exchange to reduce both potable water and energy demand. If successful, the system could save 50–100 acre-feet of potable water annually while advancing university-wide climate and sustainability goals.

Mitigation

Resilience

planned

Stormwater Capture Converts Runoff into Resilience and Local Water Supply

Stanford’s stormwater capture system turns runoff from rain events into a strategic non-potable water source, helping to irrigate campus landscapes and bolster long-term water resilience. During rain events, runoff is diverted into Felt Lake (an offstream reservoir), supplementing the non-potable supply and reducing the need for additional groundwater pumping and creek diversions. Over time, hundreds of millions of gallons of stormwater have been captured and reused to support irrigation across the campus’s non-potable system, demonstrating how large-scale, integrated planning can transform stormwater from a compliance requirement into a durable water resource.