Water
GOAL: Reduce water usage by 30% of the baseline
Goal Update
Baseline (2017-2018 Average): 164,000,000 gallons
Q2 2024: 182,500,000 gallons
Goal: 114,800,000 gallons
Water Usage Trends
Historically, staffing shortages have prevented submeters from being monitored around the zoo. Additionally, a large piece of the water feature department’s filtration system failed which has resulted in an increase in water consumption. Staff have also required reminders to report leaks and follow water conscious cleaning methods. All of these issues have been addressed in a variety of ways this year (listed below) which has resulted in water consumption reducing slightly.
How you can help!
Reduce your water consumption by reporting leaks throughout the Zoo, turning off water that is not in use, and if you are an animal keeper, make sure you are soaking items before cleaning them, and sweeping instead of soaking.
Current Efforts
Water Conservation Focus Team
As a subcommittee of the SSC, the Water Conservation Focus Team was formed in 2022 to discuss current water issues, ideate and implement strategies to reduce consumption. In 2023, the focus team added a new structure to bring in departments facing high water usage and develop collaborative solutions. If you are interested in joining this focus team you can reach out to Ann Knutson.
Improved Data Tracking
Zoo staff committed to collecting water consumption data in 2022, hand-reading meters throughout the Zoo every month and tracking consumption. These tracking efforts resulted in improvements in leak detection, which saved cumulatively thousands of gallons of water. Money from the Green Fund was used to help install sub meters in a variety of places throughout the Zoo for more precise monitoring.
Infrastructure Improvements
The Dallas Zoo has made a number of infrastructure improvements this year to reduce water consumption, including reducing the size of troughs in animal barns which has amounted to thousands of gallons in water saved. Additionally, hoses have on/off valves that reduce the amount of time water is running necessarily. These were passed out to staff this summer to ensure all hoses are equipped with this technology.
Staff Engagement
Staff have been trained in how to reduce water use as they care for animals by sweeping instead of hosing (which can also reduce an animal’s familiarity with their habitat). Cleaners also have reminder signage to soak materials before washing them to reduce water usage, and report a leak if they see one.
Upcoming Efforts
Smart Meters
Dallas Zoo is working with the City of Dallas to install smart meters throughout campus that can be read remotely. These upgrades, combined with additions of submeters will provide significantly better data for monitoring and reducing water usage.
SSC members delivered on/off valves to different departments throughout the Zoo and educated staff on how to reduce water consumption.
