ILC Water Storage & Campus Beautification
Fanice Chepkorir,
Ahni Hecht
Malissa Hubbard
Melissa May
Nathan Schwandt
Abstract
The goal of this proposal is to accurately present the means by which water
harvesting could be accomplished for the Integrated Learning Center (ILC) on the main
University of Arizona campus. Rainwater is currently stored in a holding tank within the
ILC with a given capacity of 26,000 gallons (3,300 cubic feet). Once the water level rises
to a given point within the holding tank, a system of pumps channels the water out of the
ILC and onto 4th street. Because the water is not being used for any particular function,
we propose it be re-channeled and used for irrigational purposes. There is a small plot of
land located between Bear Down Gym and the Science Library, which has the potential
to be made into a native garden. This paper explains the reasons for which water
harvesting is a better alternative to the current method of disposal for ILC rainwater. This
paper outlines the concept of campus beautification associated with a native garden and
the difficulties involved with accomplishing this goal.
Prepared by UNVR195A Water Resources in the Tucson Basin, Fall 2003.
ILC Water Storage & Campus Beautification
Introduction
Water is one of the world’s most precious resources. It seems to be an unlimited
resource because we always seem to have it right at our fingertips ready to be used;
however water is actually much scarcer than we believe and we are wasting a potential
source of water, runoff water harvested from rooftops and landscaping. Water harvesting
is the act of recovering water from the environment and using it. Some examples of water
harvesting are collecting fields of water to be used at a later time, but it can be as simple
as putting out a can to collect rainwater for you to water your plants with. Water
harvesting is very important and useful because it helps us conserve the most precious
resource known to man and the environment. Water harvesting holds particular
importance in Arizona and the Tucson area because it is in a desert.
This desert has very arid soil, which means it does not have very much water in it.
Conserving water where there is not much water is vital for the environment. Another
problem with water in Tucson is that when it does rain hard flash floods hit all over town,
by capturing some of this rainwater devastating flood damage can be reduced. The
University of Arizona itself does not widely practice water harvesting so much
floodwater comes from the area, also there is so much vegetation on campus on which
campus runoff water could be is used for landscaping irrigation. If some of the rainwater
could be harvested it could be used to
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water some of the vegetation in the area and it could help conserve water. The Integrated
Learning Center in particular already has a room that collects rain and runoff water from
the mall area, but the water is not being used for anything and it is simply being pumped
out onto the streets during heavy rains, increasing the flood problem. If we could utilize
the water in the ILC we could be conserving water on campus and helping reduce the
floods of other areas as well as reducing the amount of money spent on water. With this
in mind we looked into finding a way to use this water successfully without messing up
the structural properties of the very watertight ILC. We could use this water to vegetate
some of the surrounding area.
Materials & Methods
When determining what to do with the water in the ILC, it was necessary to first
do a little research. We contacted Mr. Dourlein and Mr. Dolan to find out how much
water drains into the ILC, where it is stored, how much water is held, and other such
information. We made a visit to the ILC with Mr. Dolan to see the storage room and
pumping system. Then we checked out a few books from the library on native flowers
of the area, so we could plan our garden. We found a spot to put our garden which
already has an irrigation system that we can use as a backup, to find out the details of this
we contacted the grounds supervisor, Ms. Janine Corbin.
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Results
In order to use the water being collected in the ILC we propose running a small
hose or pipe up through an existing pipe, of about 10 inches in diameter, coming out of
the water room. Our hose will then exit the pipe from a large concrete box located
between Bear Down Gym and the Science Library. The amount of water that comes
through the hose will be controlled by a small pump that will be installed down in the
ILC, this
will control the pressure inside the hose and volume of water being used as well as
maintain equilibrium with the existing tank and pipe. The tank inside the ILC has a
capacity of about 26,000 gallons (3,300 cubic feet) of water maximum. We have assumed
it is filled about twice in one year so we have about 50,000 gallons (6,700 cubic feet) of
water to work with in one year. The irrigation requirements by month are as follows for a
turf area of 1860 square feet. A storage tank of 2952 cubic feet would be the minimum
required, but the current ILC tank has a greater capacity. These numbers are based off of
2 fillings of the ILC storage tank which would be equivalent to 52,000 gallons or (6,700
cubic feet).
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Turf Irrigation Requirements for 1860 sq. ft.
Months
Irrigation Requirements
by Month in cubic feet
January
159
February
243
March
516
April
805
May
1045
June
1106
July
716
August
594
September
640
October
500
November
290
December
107
Total
6723
It is proposed that this water be used to irrigate a small garden nearby Bear Down Gym
that will be filled with plants native to the Tucson area. The garden is 17 ft by 47 ft and
has an area of 791 square ft. There is enough water to irrigate 1860 ft2 of turf. This shows
that there is a surplus of water that can be used to water this garden. The garden plot
itself is not a perfect rectangle, but has a small triangle of concrete obstructing it, this has
been considered in the calculations. There are also two trees in the plot of land we are
planning to utilize which can provide shade for the plants that need it. Some of the plants
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we propose to use for this project are desert shrubs such as the Rock Rose Mallow, the
Desert Rose Mallow, the Indian Mallow, and
the Pink Fairy Duster. We would also like to include some desert vines such as the
Twining Snapdragon, and of course we would like to include some traditional plants such
as the native Banana Yucca. These plants which will not require a great amount of water
will help beautify the school as well as preserve some of Tucson and the deserts natural
beauty.
Discussion
The information that was found determines that it is possible to do something
with the water being stored in the ILC. Logistically it would not be that impossible to use
it, and not that costly. By taking a few simple steps, the U of A could add a great amount
of beauty to their campus, and show that they understand water should not go to waste
Getting the water out of the ILC and into a usable place is the trickiest part of this plan,
but it can be done. The flower garden would add a lot of beauty to that area, and it would
be good to have a display of all native flowers that everyone can learn about. To water it
using normal water the costs would be outrageous. Watering this garden using harvested
water makes this a cheap beautification project. There is more than enough water in the
ILC to water all the flowers chosen because they do not require that much water. The
spot for the flowers is perfect because it is right next to the water outlet and it would be
simple to run a hose directly to the irrigation system. The irrigation system will be fairly
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simple to set up, and there is a backup irrigation system already there in case the ILC
doesn't get as much water as planned.
The beauty of this plan is that the water is already there for our use. Harvesting water is
usually the more difficult step, so we just have to take the easy one, and use it. For
specifics we got some information by email from Mr. Grant McCormick, University of
Arizona Campus Planner.
Conclusion
We have concluded that water harvesting is the main source for development at
University of Arizona. A successful harvest depends on the ability to preserve water and
land. Individuals can help reduce storm water problem by capturing and reusing
rainwater in irrigation and other purposes. This report is intended to send a message to
the general population telling them that water harvesting is going to start to have to be put
into practice soon, not just in the ILC, but in everyday life and buildings. If enough
people practice water harvest in the University of Arizona buildings and even in the city,
it is possible that some of urban flooding problems would be reduced. As individuals,
groups, and communities, let us all wake up before it is too late and not only understand
what water harvesting is all about, but implement measures to harvest rain water in our
homes, offices and classrooms and use it to replace other sources of water.
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References
1) Desert Accent Plants. Tucson: Arizona Native Plant Society, 1992.
2)Desert Bird Gardening. Tucson: Arizona Native Plant Society and Tucson Audubon
Society, 1997.
3)Desert Butterfly Gardening. Tucson: Arizona Native Plant Society and Sonoran
Arthropod Studies Institution, 1996.
4)Desert Ground Covers and Vines. Tucson: Arizona Native Plant Society, 1991.
5)Desert Grasses. Tucson: Arizona Native Plant Society, 1993.
6)Desert Shrubs. Tucson: Arizona Native Plant Society, 1990.
7)Desert Wildflowers. Tucson: Arizona Native Plant Society, 1991.
8)Mielke, Judy. Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes. Austin: University of Texas
Press, 1993.
9)Shuler, Carol. Low Water Use Plants for California and the Southwest. Tucson: Fisher
Books, 1993.
10) http://www.library.arizona.edu/aboutlib/iif/iif.htm
11) http://www.edwardscape.com/ilc/ilchome.shtml
12) Arin Haverland
13) Brian Dolan, Construction Project Manager and Facilities Design and Construction
14) Grant McCormick, Campus Planner and Campus Facilities and Planning
15) J.J. Riley
16) Janine Corbin, Grounds Supervisor and Facilities Management Operations Services
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