Water consumption has become a pressing issue worldwide, particularly in the West. In Walla Walla, rainfall fluctuates, and concerns about aquifer depletion are growing. Academic institutions like Whitman College and local businesses must continually evaluate and refine their water usage practices. As a well-known college in the area, Whitman has the opportunity to lead by example and promote sustainability efforts throughout the region and even across the country.

Whitman’s water consumption patterns reveal the complexity of balancing the needs of a functioning campus with environmental responsibility. The college consumes a substantial amount of water for maintaining campus buildings and keeping grass fields in prime condition. However, as environmental concerns grow, efforts to reduce this consumption have become an integral part of campus initiatives. Jeff Hamrick, Vice President for Finance and Administration at Whitman, provided insight into the college’s current water usage and emphasized the importance of the issue.

“Whitman College currently is consuming about 31,000,000 gallons of water per year, largely due to maintaining the greenery on campus and the daily needs of buildings. The college has over the years implemented a number of water-efficient technologies in the buildings and the landscape to minimize wastage,” Hamrick said.

The consumption of 31 million gallons of water raises concerns, particularly given Walla Walla’s limited water resources during droughts. Although efforts to reduce the college’s environmental impact are underway, several challenges persist. These include inefficient water use in older campus buildings, malfunctioning irrigation systems in certain areas and the ongoing need to foster a stronger culture of sustainability within the college community.

Adrian Sutor, Water Distribution Supervisor at the City of Walla Walla, provided data showing that Whitman ranked fourth among the city’s top water consumers in 2023, using 58,225,083 gallons —accounting for 2.41 percent of Walla Walla’s total water consumption. By comparison, the college used 69,200,794 gallons in 2013, representing 4.85 percent of the city’s total. This reduction highlights Whitman’s efforts to shrink its water footprint. Despite this progress, the college remains one of the area’s largest water consumers, underscoring the need for ongoing attention to its environmental impact.

In recent years, Whitman has implemented various water-saving technologies across its facilities, including low-flow toilets, dual-function handles and efficient irrigation systems. As Hamrick mentioned, these water-efficient systems contribute to reducing the campus’s water footprint.

Frank Nicholson, Utility Engineer at the City of Walla Walla, expressed his admiration for the college’s initiatives.

“[Whitman has] done some outstanding stuff, like they did the synthetic grass at the soccer field. It’s a huge water saver. It’s been a leader and an inspiration to the rest of the community,” Nicholson said.

Nicholson is referring to Hayner Field, completed in 2023, which replaced the grass soccer field at the Whitman Athletic Complex with artificial turf. Synthetic grass has reduced the need for irrigation on fields that previously required large amounts of water. However, the college received significant pushback from students who were concerned about the known presence of PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated substances, also known as “forever chemicals”) in synthetic grass, which can lead to groundwater contamination and adverse health effects. Although the new field has successfully reduced Whitman’s water consumption as Nicholson pointed out, the environmental drawbacks add complexity to the situation.

Beyond infrastructure, student engagement has also played a crucial role in Whitman’s sustainability goals. Hamrick pointed out how students contribute to these efforts.

“Students and faculty play a big role in reducing water consumption. From taking shorter showers to reporting leaks, everyone’s everyday actions make a difference,” Hamrick said.

Such grassroots efforts complement the larger-scale infrastructure improvements, reflecting how water conservation is a responsibility that extends beyond the Office of Sustainability and includes the whole campus community.

Despite these successes, Whitman College faces challenges in more precisely tracking and managing its water consumption. While general data on total water use is available, the college struggles to gather detailed data on individual buildings or specific areas of the campus. Hamrick elaborated on this difficulty, explaining that current systems are not equipped for more granular tracking.

“We’re not able to track water use at a more granular level, like by individual floors in a residence hall. This makes it harder to identify where the biggest opportunities for savings might be,” Hamrick said.

This limitation hampers Whitman’s broader sustainability initiatives. Although large-scale projects like artificial turf provide clear benefits, optimizing water usage at a more granular level can yield even greater efficiencies. Pinpointing areas of high consumption enables more targeted conservation efforts, ultimately reducing overall usage while still meeting the needs of the campus community.

Furthermore, older buildings on campus, such as Jewett Hall, Lyman House and Anderson Hall, present unique challenges for sustainability efforts. These buildings were not designed with modern water-saving technology in mind, and retrofitting them can be both costly and complicated. As Hamrick acknowledged, this outdated infrastructure continues to pose a significant obstacle to achieving sustainability goals.

“Older buildings face particular challenges when it comes to reducing water usage. Many of them simply weren’t designed with today’s conservation standards in mind, so we have to figure out how to retrofit them in a way that’s both cost-effective and environmentally responsible,” Hamrick said.

Sutor clarified the sources of the city’s water supply.

“The city’s water supply comes from Mill Creek and groundwater wells,” Sutor said in an email to The Wire.

Beyond the walls of Whitman College, water scarcity is a growing concern throughout the Walla Walla Valley. The region’s dependence on aquifers for much of its water supply means that long-term declines in groundwater levels could pose serious challenges for the local population, including the college. Frank Nicholson spoke about the broader implications of water scarcity and how climate change may exacerbate the situation.

“I think the biggest threat is climate change. We’re seeing more erratic weather patterns, less predictable rainfall, and the groundwater and the aquifers are declining. So that’s why we’re trying to recharge it,” Nicholson said.

The increasing threat of wildfires and other natural disasters poses significant challenges to water management in Walla Walla. As climate change intensifies, the region has experienced a rise in wildfire occurrences, which can disrupt the watershed and impede access to vital water resources. This concern extends to water supply management, as firefighting efforts consume substantial amounts of water, potentially straining local resources.

“As the climate gets drier, the West has been having horrible fires … Summers are getting hotter and longer, and the trees are drying out. That’s probably our biggest worry and one of our biggest challenges,” Nicholson said.

Nicholson’s warning is stark, reminding us that Whitman’s efforts to reduce its water footprint are part of a larger puzzle. As water becomes scarcer and less predictable, institutions, local governments and residents alike must work together to ensure that Walla Walla’s water supply remains sustainable for future generations.

The college’s role in this broader effort is significant. As one of the top five water consumers in Walla Walla, Whitman College bears a particular responsibility. However, this also means that the college’s actions can have a substantial impact. Continued improvements in water efficiency on campus could serve as a model for other institutions in the region, helping to alleviate some of the pressure on local water resources.

As Whitman College continues to explore ways to further reduce its water consumption, there is a clear recognition that the work is far from complete. While the college has made significant strides in recent years, particularly with large-scale projects like water-efficient technologies, ongoing efforts will be needed to address persistent challenges. Hamrick expressed optimism about the college’s ability to build on these successes.

“On a per capita basis, we’re a relatively efficient user of water, but we shouldn’t rest on our laurels. We should always seek ways to further reduce water usage, whether that’s through more efficient systems or through better education of our students and staff,” Hamrick said.

This forward-looking perspective is essential in ensuring that Whitman College remains committed to sustainability. As both technology and environmental conditions evolve, the college will need to adapt to new challenges while continuing to lead by example.

Whitman College’s approach to water sustainability is influenced by its budgeting structure, which lacks a dedicated allocation for water efficiency projects. Instead, the college operates through one-time budget requests sourced from its operating surplus, requiring careful prioritization to balance financial resources and competing project needs.

Hamrick emphasized the need for continued investment.

“The college doesn’t have a dedicated budget for these improvements. Instead, we submit one-time budget requests from the operating surplus, and the President’s cabinet decides which initiatives to fund. … Future requests could include projects to improve electrical, heating and water efficiency,” Hamrick said.

In addition to these efforts, Sutor provided valuable recommendations for further reducing water consumption at Whitman College.

“Install low-flow fixtures (showers, toilets, etc.), optimize irrigation systems to the maximum extent practicable, reduce irrigation needs, maximize their tree canopy,” Sutor said.

Water conservation at Whitman College is a complex issue, involving both large-scale infrastructure improvements and everyday actions by students and staff. The college has made notable strides toward reducing water consumption, but challenges remain, particularly when it comes to retrofitting older buildings and tracking water usage at a more granular level.

In the broader context of Walla Walla’s water scarcity concerns, Whitman College’s role is significant. Its efforts not only reduce the strain on local water resources but also serve as a model for other institutions and residents in the region. As Nicholson highlighted, the college has been a leader in water conservation, but the ongoing threat of climate change means that these efforts must continue and expand in the coming years. Through continued innovation and collaboration, the college can help ensure that Walla Walla’s water supply remains sustainable for future generations.