Cincinnati Zoo celebrates 20 years of water conservation on World

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has long prioritized sustainable water use. This weekend, on World Water Day, the zoo marks more than 20 years of progress in its water conservation efforts, benefitting local communities and those across the globe.

“We’ve been at this for two decades now and have reduced water use dramatically,” said Mark Fisher, vice president of facilities and sustainability. He went on to emphasized that the zoo’s commitment to water conservation has been ongoing. The Evanston facility has worked to drastically reduce water use alongside a variety of other green initiatives.

“The million-gallon capacity stormwater tanks buried under the 5-acre elephant habitat that opened last year have taken us to the next level and helped us get closer to our goal of being net zero in water consumption,” he added.

Through a series of strategic initiatives, the zoo says it has saved more than 2 billion gallons of water since 2005. These efforts include tasks such as fixing leaks and monitoring water use, as well as more complex projects like installing stormwater retention tanks and using hydroponic farming to grow food for the animals.

The result has been significant savings on utility bills and reduced stormwater runoff, which also eases pressure on local sewer systems. These utility management efforts have prevented at least 100,000 gallons of water use, according to Mallory Geresy, the zoo’s net zero project manager.

“We’ve worked to create a ‘live picture’ of utility use, ensuring continuous improvements,” she said.

Act globally, think globally

Beyond local initiatives, the zoo is partnering with organizations in Kenya, including the South Rift Association of Landowners (SORALO), to improve water management practices in communities facing drought and other challenges.

“We’ve had the opportunity to make a huge impact on water quality and resiliency within the community in the SORALO landscape,” said Arianne Smith, the zoo’s aquatics manager, who traveled to Kenya last year.

The zoo’s water conservation efforts align with the global need for sustainable water practices. Though water covers two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, only a small fraction is accessible as clean, fresh water.

Dubbed the Greenest Zoo in America by state leaders in the past,  the zoo continues exploring new ways to conserve this vital resource. But it also wants to work with local communities to affect change locally.

As the globe celebrates World Water Day on Saturday, the zoo encourages people to reflect on water conservation in their personal lives. It also invites the public to participate in the 13th annual Rain Barrel Art Auction. Proceeds will benefit environmental education at SaveLocalWaters.org and the zoo.

“Next time you visit, take a moment to appreciate the pools, streams, and waterfalls in animal habitats and consider how you might reuse rainwater at home,” the zoo said in a statement.

Cincinnati Zoo Conservation