The mission of the Utah Department of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) is to provide professional services to assist State entities in meeting their facility needs for the benefit of the public. The department has jurisdiction over nearly 4,000 state-owned properties and their landscapes including state agency buildings, universities, community and technical colleges, the Utah State Fair Park, and other sites. 

In 2021, in response to the ongoing drought, Governor Spencer Cox issued Executive Order 2021-10 requiring state agencies to follow the Utah Division of Water Resources’ weekly lawn watering guide. All DFCM facilities complied with the executive order, but the public noticed sprinklers running and green grass on some state facilities, which presented a public relations challenge. In 2022, the state legislature passed H.B. 121, adding more robust guidance to the executive order to require turfgrass dormancy at state facilities to help conserve additional water. To meet the requirements of the new legislation, Andrew Marr, Assistant Director of Facilities, DFCM, consulted with Utah State University’s Center for Water Efficient Landscaping.

Quantitative guidelines for irrigation of state facilities were developed, including only allowing ½ inch of irrigation water applied weekly during spring and fall and 1 inch applied weekly during the hottest weeks of the summer. Slightly higher irrigation amounts were allowed in southern Utah to accommodate a longer growing season and higher temperatures. These guidelines were approved by the Governor’s cabinet, and the new requirements were issued to all facilities under DFCM jurisdiction. In addition to the new irrigation requirements, all grounds supervisory staff of DFCM were required to complete the Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper training program to learn how to install and maintain their landscapes and irrigation systems for water efficiency.

DFCM has also implemented other processes to facilitate the success of their response to the Governor’s executive order and H.B. 121. A database is now maintained for all managers to indicate their compliance with H.B. 121 as well as record any factors that may prevent that compliance (e.g., local city or water district requirements). Monthly meetings provide an opportunity for managers and stakeholders to discuss questions regarding the new irrigation practices and to request funding for water meters, smart irrigation control technologies, rezoning of irrigation systems, and water efficient landscaping to bring facilities into compliance.

Andrew Marr describes DFCM’s efforts as an ongoing progression of learning and implementation that is just beginning. “It’s time to figure out our process and in the coming seasons our managers will know what to do,” he says. “It’s more about the buy-in, the common goal and common mission. It’s hard to turn the ship around but (by) providing incentives and recognition…we’re getting there.”