Despite efforts to decrease its water usage, WSU used 26.3 million gallons more in 2015 than 2014, citing the addition of four major facilities over the past year.

According to its Water Use Efficiency Annual Performance Report, WSU used just under 500 million gallons of water in the 2015 calendar year, up from about 473 million in 2014.

Among the new facilities using water are an organic farm and a greenhouse, the report states.

The report also states that a new grounds irrigation system and 59 water meters were installed in 2015 which should improve water usage.

“WSU has made significant efforts to meet the water conservation goals,” according to the report. “WSU actively pursues an effort to minimize water wasting activities.”

Dan Costello, assistant vice president for Facilities Services and Operations, said new and remodeled buildings use water conservation methods to reduce their water usage, including low-flow faucets and toilets.

He said there are also alternative water sources, including rainwater and water from the treatment plant which can be used for irrigation.

The Grande Ronde Aquifer, the primary water source for Pullman and Moscow and their respective universities, has dropped by an average of 1.3 feet per year for at least the past 50 years, according to the Palouse Water Conservation Network.

“Our groundwater supply is declining,” the network states. “That’s why conserving water should be a top priority.”

Reporting by Alisa Smith and Cody Cottier