NUSD Helps Community Conserve Water

In response to the current drought, the Governor’s proclamation for a 25 percent reduction, and North Marin Water District’s proposed target of 24 percent reduction in water consumption, the Novato Unified School District is leading by example and taking the necessary steps to conserve as much as possible.

“Since the beginning of April 2015, NUSD has reduced water used for irrigation by 25%,” commented Karen Maloney, Assistant Superintendent, Business & Operations for the Novato Unified School District. “Eight years ago, using bond funds, NUSD installed ‘smart’ water controllers that allow staff to adjust the water flow. In early April 2015 when the irrigation was being turned back on after being off during the winter months, staff adjusted the controllers to reduce water flow by 25%. Our grounds and maintenance crew is also being diligent about checking and repairing broken water lines and sprinkler heads,” explained Ms. Maloney.

Ms. Maloney added, “These changes might impact some of the athletic organizations that use our fields and we will be working with those organizations and doing our best to keep fields available to the community while being responsible community members ourselves.”

In addition, both Olive Elementary School and Hamilton School have been using recycled water to irrigate the fields for the past three years.

This summer, both fields within the tracks at San Jose and Sinaloa Middle School will be retrofitted with new sod to provide a safe sport play area for students. NUSD is working with the North Marin Water District to use recycled water to irrigate both of these new fields.

It is expected that the grass fields will turn brown. Last year NUSD placed banners at the schools and fields indicating that brown is “The official lawn