Environmental Management Division (Code JQ)

Environmental Management Division

Ames Safety & Health Division
Ames Mission Assurance Division

Environmental Services

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NASA AMES ON TRACK TO ACHIEVE WATER CONSERVATION GOALS
By Deborah Robin Croft, 05-1-2009

Due in part to the current, severe and potentially recurring drought in California, coupled with increasing federal interest in conserving water at its facilities, NASA Ames Research Center, in partnership with the city of Sunnyvale converted a portion of its irrigation system from pumping potable water to using reclaimed water to irrigate the on-site 40-acre golf course on February 19, 2009. The former Naval Air Station had transferred the golf course to NASA Ames under the "Base Closure and Realignment Act" in 1991.

Employing reclaimed water will irrigate the golf course during the spring to fall seasons and save 35 to 42 million gallons of water or 11 to 13 percent of the Center's yearly potable water requirement. This project will help NASA achieve Federal goals under Executive Order 13423, entitled "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management," mandating that each agency conserve 16 percent of its potable water by 2015 based on a 2007 baseline.

The water reclamation project dates back to 1994, when NASA Ames Research Center provided an easement for Sunnyvale to install its reclaimed water main along the East side of the Moffett Field property line. The agreement between NASA and the city of Sunnyvale stipulated that the city would install a branch line to the golf course irrigation main for future tie-ins. Drought conditions combined with renewed federal emphasis on conserving resources provided the impetus for finalizing drawings and specifications to perform the required cross connection repairs (separation) and installing required reclaimed water fixtures such as “quick couplers” to prevent casual access to the reclaimed water for drinking.

NASA Ames is currently exploring other water conservation opportunities including expanding the reclaimed water system throughout the center and using groundwater that is being discharged by treatment facilities onsite. This continuing effort demonstrates NASA Ames's commitment to marshal its diverse talents in partnership with the Silicon Valley community in order to further mutual goals for sustainability.

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