CSU Dominguez Hills Standardizes Plumbing to Improve Restroom Maintenance and Efficiency

• By Stasia DeMarco
• 12/17/25

At California State University, Dominguez Hills, facilities leaders have taken steps to standardize restroom fixtures as part of a broader effort to improve maintenance efficiency and control long-term costs.

Founded in 1960, CSU Dominguez Hills enrolls approximately 15,000 undergraduate students and 2,000 post-baccalaureate students. The university serves one of the most ethnically and economically diverse student populations in the western United States, with about half of its students identifying as first-generation college attendees.

To support continued enrollment growth, the campus has expanded its facilities footprint in recent years and is currently undertaking several major construction projects. New buildings include student housing and dining facilities, a health and wellness center, academic and research spaces, and infrastructure upgrades, representing a combined investment of more than $200 million.

As construction activity increased, facilities staff identified challenges related to plumbing maintenance across campus buildings. When Jeffrey Phelps joined the university's Facilities Services department in early 2020 as plumbing services supervisor, he found that multiple faucet brands were installed across different buildings. According to facilities staff, maintaining parts and service knowledge for numerous models increased workload and inventory demands.

To address these issues, the university moved toward standardizing restroom faucets across new construction and renovation projects. Facilities officials cited consistency, maintenance access, and compatibility with campus sustainability and safety requirements as key considerations in the decision. As Phelps noted, "We have a small maintenance shop, and I don't have room to inventory parts for eight different faucets."

Low-flow faucet models were selected to support California water conservation priorities and to align with CalGreen and LEED standards. Automatic shut-off functionality was also identified as a way to reduce water waste in buildings that remain accessible for extended hours.

From a maintenance standpoint, facilities staff reported that standardized fixtures simplify installation, service, and parts management. Components that are accessible above the deck were cited as reducing service time, while consistent designs across buildings allow technicians to apply the same maintenance procedures campus wide.

Water temperature control was another factor in the selection process. Mixing valves were incorporated into plumbing systems to help limit water temperature at the point of use and support compliance with ASSE 1070 standards, reducing the risk of scalding while maintaining hygiene.

With more than 300 restroom faucets in use across campus, facilities leaders noted that small efficiencies in maintenance time and water use can result in measurable operational savings over time.