Water
Purdue University is committed to optimizing water resources across campus. By promoting water-conscious design, infrastructure, behaviors and operations, the university integrates water-wise practices into daily activities and long-term planning. These efforts support more efficient systems, smarter water use and a reduced environmental impact.
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Water Quality & Supply
Water Conservation Tips
Quick Tips for Water Conservation
Everyone on campus plays a role in conserving water. Small, everyday actions can make a big difference in reducing Purdue’s overall water use.
See It, Report It
See It, Report It
If you notice dripping faucets, running toilets, or other water leaks, report them through the Fix It Service Request Portal. Use the portal to learn what qualifies as urgent or non-urgent maintenance.
Bathroom
Bathroom
Take shorter showers, turn off faucets when not in use and avoid flushing trash or other non-flushable items. This helps prevent maintenance issues and saves water.
Kitchen
Kitchen
Run dishwashers only when they’re full, and if washing dishes by hand, avoid letting the water run continuously.
Laundry
Laundry
Wash full loads whenever possible to reduce the number of cycles and the amount of water used.
Water Conscious Design & Operations
Administrative Operations is committed to maintaining a healthy, sustainable and beautiful campus. Purdue designs and operates buildings to conserve water wherever possible while meeting the needs of occupants, research and building systems.
Construction Standards
Purdue’s Consultant’s Handbook, used to guide planning, design and construction, outlines water-conscious design requirements, including:
Efficient Plumbing Fixtures
All new and renovated public spaces use EPA WaterSense-labeled fixtures that meet Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
Flow Rate Compliance
Fixtures meet standards for reduced water use.
Irrigation Systems
Smart irrigation technologies and timers help minimize and recycle water use.
Water Conscious Landscaping
Native and ecological plantings are encouraged to reduce irrigation needs.
Building-Level Metering
All buildings have water meters to track usage, detect anomalies and measure conservation impacts.
LEED Certification Requirements
New construction projects exceeding $10 million pursue LEED Silver certification, which includes multiple water efficiency requirements.
Best Practices
Purdue limits single-pass water use and applies practical conservation measures wherever feasible.
Stormwater
Stormwater Management
Stormwater management helps protect local waterways and maintain a healthy campus environment. At Purdue University, stormwater that runs off roofs, streets and sidewalks flows into a separate storm sewer system. Unlike wastewater, this water is not treated at a plant; it flows through pipes and ditches into local creeks, streams and rivers, with much of it eventually reaching Harrison Pond.
Purdue follows state and federal stormwater regulations under the Clean Water Act and Indiana’s Stormwater Permit Program. The university is also part of the Tippecanoe County Partnership for Water Quality, working alongside local agencies to promote clean water practices and compliance.
Green Infrastructure
To better manage stormwater, Purdue has incorporated green infrastructure across campus. These systems, such as rain gardens, bioswales and permeable surfaces, allow rainwater to soak into the ground where it falls. Plants and soil naturally help filter and clean the water while reducing the amount that enters storm drains. This approach helps the campus grow sustainably without overloading existing infrastructure.
Key Focus Areas
Purdue’s stormwater program focuses on several core areas:
- Education and Outreach – Teaching the campus community how everyday actions affect water quality.
- Community Involvement – Encouraging participation in programs and events that support clean water.
- Pollution Prevention – Detecting and eliminating improper discharges into the storm system.
- Construction and Post-Construction Practices – Reducing runoff during and after construction projects through best practices and green design.
- System Maintenance – Regularly inspecting and maintaining campus storm drains and related facilities.
Wastewater
Wastewater Management
Proper wastewater management is essential to protecting public health and maintaining a safe, sustainable campus environment. At Purdue University, most campus wastewater is treated by the City of West Lafayette Wastewater Utility, which manages collection and treatment for more than 24 square miles, including Purdue’s core campus.
The city’s collection system includes nearly 193 miles of sanitary, storm and combined sewers that transport wastewater to the West Lafayette Water Resource Recovery Facility. The facility currently treats up to 10.5 million gallons of water per day, with plans to expand its capacity to 15 million gallons per day in the future.