The Reflecting Pond is one of the four lakes on campus that stores an estimated 4.5 million gallons of water, allowing California State University, Stanislaus (Stan State) to remain partially green. This year, all California State University campuses were mandated to cut water by at least 25 percent. Stan State intended on meeting this recommended mandate, but exceeded the expectations from the state.
    This fall, the cooling tower located next to Village Lake will add a front end water filter. This will further avoid drawing from the municipal supply, saving an estimated 5 million gallons of potable water each year. Potable water is water that is properly filtered and safe for human consumption.      
    Water faucets on campus have been switched from 2.5 million gallons of water per minute to about one gallon per minute. The water pressure cut across campus has allowed an additional 60 percent water conservation. Showers contained within housing and Fitzpatrick Arena locker rooms have also been reduced by 1.5 gallons per minute, allowing a 40 percent reduction in water flow.
    Although Stan State is recognized for its beautiful park like appearance, many grassy areas are brown and dry. However, the campus still takes pride in the investments that have been made in maintaining the healthy green surface of the athletic fields. While Stan State is giving countless efforts to conserve as much water as possibly during the drought, the athletic field must be maintained in order to provide safety for student-athletes and a fair game between other teams who are visiting the campus.
    Another ongoing project to further water conservation involves installing approximately 44 water sensors across campus. These water sensors will read the water content in the particular area in which they are installed while providing details on the percentage of water being absorbed, as well as the weather patterns during that time. This information is sent to a control center, telling how much estimated water is needed in that exact area on campus.
    All four lakes on campus play a huge role in the water conservation success, mostly due to their storage capacity and the aerators that spray water across the area. The lake aerators help by reducing the evaporation of water being stored.
    Stan State still proves to be one of the most beautiful campuses within the California State University system. The quote “brown is beneficial” is being used to represent the countless efforts the campus gives to conserve water during the ongoing drought. Many water conservation projects have been successful and the campus still refuses to draw any water from domestic supply for irrigation.