University of Idaho Wins Award for Water Conservation Efforts
Moscow, Idaho—The University of Idaho received the 2025 Palouse Basin Water Advocate Award for its outstanding work in water conservation. This award highlights the university’s Water Conservation and Management Plan, created in collaboration with the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee, the city of Moscow, and regional partners.
This comprehensive plan lays out concrete steps to cut down on water use both indoors and outdoors. It also focuses on enhancing campus infrastructure and educating the community about water conservation. “Well levels in the Palouse Basin have been declining for over a century. We all have a role to play in protecting this vital resource,” said Sarah Dawson, the university’s sustainability director. She emphasized the importance of collaborating with the broader community for a sustainable water future.
Mike Faupel, Executive Director of the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee, nominated the university for the award. He noted that the university’s collaborative and research-based approach set it apart. “Water is essential to everything we do,” he said. “U of I is taking the lead and helping the entire region prepare for a sustainable future.”
Key contributors to the plan include Lee Espey, associate vice president for operations, and Madison Dougherty, a doctoral student working on sustainability initiatives. Some of the immediate actions they are taking include:
- Installing WaterSense-certified fixtures in various facilities.
- Implementing dual-flush systems in restrooms to minimize water usage.
- Improving pool maintenance to save hundreds of thousands of gallons annually.
- Enhancing conservation outreach with messaging shared among local businesses and educational institutions.
- Launching Water Week, a new initiative by the Sustainability Center to promote conservation efforts throughout the Palouse.
The plan also aims for increased native landscaping and coordinated emergency water strategies. “We’re dedicated to cutting our water consumption and assisting our neighbors in doing the same,” Dawson stated. “Water is essential for life in the Palouse, and we must protect it.”
With over 1.5 million acres of farmland relying on the Palouse Basin’s water supply, the need for sustainable practices is more pressing than ever. According to recent research, the Palouse Basin has experienced a nearly 30% decline in aquifer levels in the last two decades, underscoring the urgency of these initiatives.
For more details on the university’s sustainability efforts, check out U of I’s sustainability page.
