Bioswales across campus capture stormwater to replenish the local groundwater.
Unnecessary turf across campus has been replaced with drought-tolerant landscaping.
Our 2030 Vision for Water
Reduce our water footprint while supporting a vibrant, diverse, abundant campus ecosystem and creating a culture of water awareness and action.
What We're Doing
The SAVE water goals focus on reducing water use, landscaping with drought-tolerant native plants, and metering major buildings for real-time water use. Visit our Annual Report highlight page for an update on goals and achievements.
Indoor Water Use
Aerators have been added to faucets throughout campus to ensure efficiency. Low-flow showerheads have been installed in all residential halls. Dual-flush toilets have been installed in virtually all bathrooms on campus. Most washing machines on campus (including Housekeeping's) are water-efficient front-loading machine.
Currently, 66% of Pomona’s buildings have real-time water metering. The Sustainability Office is expanding this effort to install sub-meters in every major building, providing campus-wide access to real-time water data that will be accessible through a public dashboard.
Outdoor Water Use
- Turf Removal – Since summer 2015, Grounds staff have removed nearly 300,000 square feet of turf across campus—an effort that has saved millions of gallons of water and reshaped Pomona’s landscape into one that reflects our region’s natural beauty and resilience.
- Stormwater Management and Redirection – Across campus, buildings and landscapes are designed to work with nature. Stormwater is captured and directed into dry wells to recharge groundwater, while bioswales and permeable surfaces—like decomposed granite and permeable asphalt—allow rainwater to slowly soak back into the earth, reducing runoff and flooding.
- Appropriate Landscaping and Planting – Pomona College strives to balance water use and landscape aesthetics. Grounds staff place water-loving plants in naturally shady, wet areas and drought-tolerant species where soil and sun conditions support them best. Today, Pomona’s landscape showcases native oaks, a custom blend of water-wise turf, and a diverse palette of drought-tolerant, native plants that create a vibrant, living classroom for sustainability.
- Enhanced Landscape Irrigation System – Smart irrigation controls now monitor soil moisture, humidity, and rainfall to deliver water only when and where it’s needed—improving efficiency by more than 80% compared to traditional spray systems. The team has converted over 5,000 square feet of spray irrigation to drip systems and reduced watering schedules to just two evenings per week.
How You Can Help
Every drop counts. While Pomona has invested in smart irrigation and efficient building systems, lasting water conservation depends on all of us. Simple daily choices—both indoors and outdoors—help preserve our most precious resource and keep our campus thriving through California’s dry seasons.
Indoors: Use Only What You Need
- Report leaks right away. Even a small drip can waste hundreds of gallons each year.
- Turn off taps fully. Don’t let water run while washing hands, brushing teeth, or rinsing dishes.
- Use dishwashers and laundry only when full. Fewer loads mean major water savings.
- Shorten showers. Cutting just two minutes saves up to five gallons per shower.
Outdoors: Protect the Landscape
- Let Grounds staff know about water waste. Report overspray, pooling water, or broken sprinklers.
- Recommend places for turf removal or drought-tolerant landscaping. Help identify areas where grass or traditional landscaping could be replaced with drought-tolerant, native plants to save water and support Pomona’s sustainable landscape design.