Water Conservation
Learn what Sacramento International Airport is doing to be water-wise.
California is experiencing a severe drought. Sacramento International Airport (SMF) has voluntarily reduced its landscape watering by 50 percent over 2013 . Read more about what the airport is doing to conserve water.
FAQs About Water Conservation
How is SMF reducing water consumption?
- Low-flow toilets and automatic water fixtures are used in both terminals. Low-flow toilets save up to 2 gallons of water per flush. Some 97 percent of airport fixtures use low-flush technology.
- Rental car companies at the airport use their own car wash and reclamation system. Reclaimed water is filtered and reused.
- Water is served upon request at airport restaurants.
- Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting reduced the flow used for apparatus testing and firefighter training by approximately 75 percent and have discontinued the practice of water cannon salutes.
- Terminal B is landscaped with drought-tolerant, native plants.
- The airport has launched an employee water conservation awareness effort.
How is SMF reducing landscape irrigation?
Landscape irrigation has been reduced 50 percent over 2013. In addition:
- Watering is kept at the lowest level possible to keep landscaping viable while minimizing the risk of fire hazards.
- Watering is done in the early morning or late evening to reduce evaporation.
- Irrigation systems are routinely tested to identify and repair leaking components.
- Sprinklers are consistently evaluated to minimize or eliminate overspray and runoff
- Tree groves and other landscaped areas are mulched to retain moisture.
- Soil is aerated and fertilized and grass is mowed at a higher level to make water use more efficient
- Grass is mown at 4 inches instead of 2-3 inches to retain moisture.
Where does SMF get its water?
- Sacramento International Airport uses non-drinkable water from onsite wells for landscape irrigation. This water cannot be used for agriculture because of its chemical components.
- The City of Sacramento supplies drinking water for the airport, which comes from the Sacramento River
- Sacramento International airport is on track to reduce its use of drinking water by 11 percent over 2014.