As the city of Corpus Christi approaches a potential water emergency, Del Mar College is looking at ways to reduce usage and decrease reliance on the city’s freshwater supply.
Solutions range from an effort to connect the Oso Creek campus to an effluent water line with the aim of using reclaimed water for irrigation and air conditioning chillers — a project that is already in the works — to exploring the possibility of a water well at the Windward campus. This second idea has only just emerged.
The Del Mar College Board of Regents discussed water reduction efforts on April 7. College staff met with representatives from the city’s Office of Emergency Management on March 30.
President Mark Escamilla said that staff will be returning to the board in future meetings for updates and approvals related to the measures discussed.
“This is the beginning of a broad conversation, and an ongoing conversation,” Escamilla said. “Droughts, unfortunately, will recur.”
Connecting Oso Creek to receive reclaimed water from Corpus Christi Water would cost about $1.5 million, Escamilla said.
However, reclaimed water would likely be cheaper, particularly if water rates increase as a result of the city’s efforts to invest in new water sources, regent David Loeb said.
The college already has low-flow fixtures and automatic detection faucets installed in most restrooms. It carefully monitors HVAC systems to optimize chilled water use and identifies and repairs leaks, according to the presentation to the board.
The college restricts exterior power-washing and does not allow irrigation, per city requirements. The college has embarked on “xeriscaping,” including removing grass and focusing on drought-tolerant plants.
Looking forward, the college is working with Corpus Christi Water to extend an effluent water line to the Oso Creek campus. Effluent water would be used for air conditioning system needs and for irrigation.
But beyond that, the college is also considering other options. In addition to investigating water well potential at the Windward campus, the college has renewed discussions of acquiring effluent for this campus, though it’s unclear whether groundwater would be suitable or what the city’s capacity for sharing reclaimed water would be for that campus.
“We’re just starting to explore,” Tammy McDonald, vice president of administration and human resources, told the Caller-Times. “We just put everything on the table.”
The college is looking at “every option that could be available,” McDonald said.
In the event of a water emergency, college staff proposed placing limitations or restrictions on campus events, adjusting thermostat temperatures to reduce chilled water usage and modifying operational schedules.
For critical emergency needs, the college could also bring in water tankers.
Other ideas include capturing and reusing condensation from air handler units and other options involving reclaimed water.
“We have the capability to make changes to free up water for other users who maybe are not capable of making the changes,” Loeb said. “We need to do the responsible thing and go forward.”
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Can Del Mar College reduce water usage? Leaders probe solutions
Reporting by Olivia Garrett, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
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