Water

Introduction

Water conservation, recycling and reuse, and effective rainwater management practices are important in maintaining and protecting finite groundwater supplies. Likewise, pumping, delivering, and treating water is a major driver of energy consumption, so institutions can help reduce energy use and the greenhouse gas emissions associated with energy generation by conserving water. Water conservation and effective rainwater and wastewater management also reduce the need for effluent discharge into local surface water supplies, which helps improve the health of local water ecosystems.

401 resources

Identifying Near-Term Opportunities to Reduce Water Demand and Cost

  • George Washington University (DC)
  • Coho Climate Advisors (MD)

GW recognizes that water is both a critical environmental resource and a source of rising utility costs. In order to conserve water and reduce costs, GW is exploring optimization strategies ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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Blueprint for Clean Water: A University and Conservation Partnership

  • Messiah University (PA)

Colleges and Universities in the United States are large asset holders, be it endowments, buildings, or land. Based on AASHE data from just 295 Universities in the United States, land ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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A Relationships-First Model for Zero Waste Coalition Building

  • George Washington University (DC)

Committed to reaching Zero Waste? It cannot be done alone! Achieving this ambitious milestone requires complete cooperation across all areas of an institution, especially those responsible for the greatest share ...

  • Posted Feb. 21, 2024
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How we see water: Developing a transdisciplinary course through a local lens

  • University of Wisconsin-River Falls (WI)
  • AASHE (PA)

Human activity has contributed to climate change and environmental degradation. As a result, our freshwater supplies are facing a major threat. Water is vital for life. It is our responsibility ...

  • Posted Feb. 6, 2024
  • Videos & Webinars
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BEACON® SaaS Makes Water Visible at UC Merced

  • University of California, Merced (CA)
  • Badger Meter (WI)

A group of staff and students form the University of California, Merced (UC Merced) in Central Valley California joined forces to dramatically cut water, energy and gas usage per student ...

  • Posted Jan. 10, 2024
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Water Resources (MS)

  • University of Idaho (ID)

Students will learn to collaborate effectively with peers in other fields and with key stakeholders and professionals to define, research, and achieve creative and sustainable solutions to contemporary water problems ...

  • Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Water Resources (PhD)

  • University of Idaho (ID)

Students will learn to collaborate effectively with peers in other fields and with key stakeholders and professionals to define, research, and achieve creative and sustainable solutions to contemporary water problems ...

  • Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Environmental Science (BS)

  • Saint Joseph's College - ME (ME)

An important focus of Saint Joseph’s environmental program is on aquatic ecosystems such as Sebago Lake and the nearby Gulf of Maine. A majority of the courses required for ...

  • Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Marine Science (BS)

  • Saint Joseph's College - ME (ME)

Program allows students work covers cataloging the diversity of Gulf of Maine waters, to studying the causes and effects of red tide outbreaks, or researching how the chemical environments affects ...

  • Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Water Resources (Minor)

  • Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)

The water resources minor broadens the learning experiences and professional opportunities of students in technical disciplines who have an interest in courses related to water treatment, wastewater treatment, hydrology, the ...

  • Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Certificate in Water Resources Policy

  • Texas State University, San Marcos (TX)

The Water Resources Policy Certificate provides the recipient with a working knowledge of water resources in sufficient detail that they are prepared for professional positions involving water resources management and ...

  • Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Civil Engineering - Water, Environment and Coastal Systems (MS)

  • Northeastern University (MA)

This program integrates the study of infrastructure; hydrology; hydraulics; engineering for coastal areas; numerical modeling; remote sensing; spatial and temporal data analysis; and physical, chemical, and biological processes that impact ...

  • Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Sustainable Water Management (Certificate)

  • University of Saskatchewan (SK)

The Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Water Management focuses on human dimensions of sustainable water management, including policy approaches and public health. It is designed for professionals who recognize that their ...

  • Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Water Resources (Certificate)

  • University of Saskatchewan (SK)

The Graduate Certificate in Water Resources focuses on enhancing foundational knowledge in water resource and hydrological theory, data analysis, and modelling. It is designed for professionals who seek to build ...

  • Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Water Science (Certificate)

  • University of Saskatchewan (SK)

The Graduate Certificate in Water Science provides opportunities to apply knowledge in the water sciences to address extant and emerging water quality issues. This certificate is tailored for practitioners with ...

  • Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Water Quality Technician (CCC)

  • Hillsborough Community College (FL)

The water quality technician college credit certificate prepares you for immediate entry into the workforce as a water quality technician. This curriculum is from the current college catalog and is ...

  • Posted Dec. 13, 2023
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Field Research

  • University of Southern California (CA)

Students with USC Dornsife's Nuzhdin Lab employ molecular biology and bioinformatic techniques to better understand the interactions between genotype and phenotype across a wide range of organisms. The lab ...


Austin Community College, Rio Grande Campus LEED Platinum Renovation Project

  • Austin Community College (TX)

Austin Community College LEED Platinum Renovation - The Rio Grande Campus project involved the renovation of a nearly 100-year-old campus building, and is the first LEED Platinum certification for Austin Community ...


10,000-gallon rainwater cistern

  • Muhlenberg College (PA)

Terrace showing outline of Fahy Commons 10,000-gallon rainwater cistern.


Rainwater harvesting control and filtration system

  • Muhlenberg College (PA)

Rainwater from the Cistern is treated and used for toilet flushing.


UVM_rooftop and interior

  • University of Vermont (VT)

A class on stormwater management meets on the roof of UVM's George D. Aiken Center


Year of Water

  • Cornell University (NY)

Water Resources Institute’s Year of Water – an educational effort to inform students and Tompkins County residents.


Scientists study solar panel-topped ponds

  • Cornell University (NY)

Reseach into preserve agricultural land for crops and conservation lands for wildlife, place floating photovoltaic panels on lakes, rivers and reservoirs.


Rainwater retention

  • Université de Sherbrooke (QC)

Rainwater from the stormwater network of the Université de Sherbrooke supply the rainwater collection basins, the ponds and the stream of the park named the Heart Campus. Heart Campus improves ...


Constructed Wetland

  • Binghamton University (NY)

Constructed wetland at Binghamton University that treats about 2/3 of surface runoff from campus before it enters the Susquehanna River.


Humber College SCI 2023 Photos - Water Category

  • Humber College (ON)

Photo submission for Humber College's Top Performance on 2023 SCI Water Category.


Taking Stormwater Seriously at the University of Vermont

  • University of Vermont (VT)

The soils on UVM's campus are glacial till on bedrock, limiting infiltration of runoff. UVM’s diverse stormwater systems slow and filter runoff rather than letting it run directly ...


Marquette's Water Quality Lab

  • Marquette University (WI)

Dr. Brooke K. Mayer, P.E. and student working in Marquette's Water Quality Lab


Student-Designed and Built Rain Garden

  • North Carolina State University (NC)

The rain garden outside of Lee Residence Hall at NC State University was designed and built by students in the landscape architecture graduate program. This Design-Build course has a long ...


University of Manitoba campus

  • University of Manitoba (MB)

Top Performer, Water University of Manitoba campus


Aligning with Place: A case study in xeriscaping at Gonzaga University's Office of Sustainability.

  • Gonzaga University (WA)

This project's goal was to xeriscape the front lawn of the Office of Sustainability, transforming it from a grass lawn into a lawn with mulch and drought-tolerant plants. The ...

  • Posted July 17, 2023
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Bottled vs tap water perceptions, choices and recommendations in a US Midwest university community

  • Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (IL)
  • University of Southern Maine (ME)

Purpose:This study aims to determine preference and concerns regarding tap vs bottled water and recommendations to increase tap water use in a US Midwest university. The authors propose interventions ...

  • Posted June 15, 2023
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Analyzing Green Behavior and the Rational Use of Water in Portuguese Higher Education Campuses

  • Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
  • Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro
  • Instituto Politécnico de Tomar
  • Politécnico de Lisboa
  • Instituto Politécnico de Beja

In the forthcoming years Portugal expects to be an increasingly hot and dry country dealing with the risk of water scarcity. According to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere ...

  • Posted June 15, 2023
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Scoring Water Stewardship at Academic Institutions: A Water Resources Management Scoring Framework for Future Sustainability, Resilience and Innovation

  • Oregon State University (OR)

In the face of the global climate crisis, paired with current and future risks over water resources, the importance of effective water resources management cannot be overstated. However, there is ...

  • Posted June 15, 2023
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Green Stormwater Infrastructure Planning in Midwestern Higher Education Institutions

  • The Ohio State University (OH)

Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is an innovative approach to stormwater management that has the potential to provide a variety of operational, environmental, and human benefits beyond those offered by more ...

  • Posted June 15, 2023
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University of Cincinnati Utilities Water Reclamation Project

  • University of Cincinnati (OH)

This is a water reclamation project from the on campus utility plant. Wastewater collection piping was installed running through the power plant, a catch basin for the collected water including ...


Bottle Filling Stations at UCI 2023

  • University of California, Irvine (CA)

UCI Facilities Management in collaboration with the Campus as a Living Lab class brought together interns to embark on the revitalization of the bottle filling stations program. The pandemic halted ...


Greek Sustainability: Leveraging Change, Empowering Leaders

  • University of Colorado Boulder (CO)

Students have been organizing chapter houses to host a "Green Chair" or also popularly known as "Green Greek Reps". We will share our resources, strategy, and recent academic year's ...

  • Posted May 17, 2023
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Integrating Sustainability and Social Justice Concepts Across the Curriculum

  • University of Michigan (MI)

This brief document offers matrices that show how sustainability and social justice concepts such as community and equity can be integrated across disciplines. With this document, instructors can take steps ...

  • Posted May 8, 2023
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Hope College Students and Holland State Park Beach Cleanup Event

  • Hope College (MI)

Hope College students partnered with local high school student leaders to host their annual (spring and fall) community cleanup event at Holland State Park. Together they collected nearly 102 pounds ...


Campus RainWorks Challenge

  • University of Texas at Arlington (TX)

The Campus RainWorks Challenge is a green infrastructure design competition for American colleges and universities that seeks to engage with the next generation of environmental professionals, foster a dialogue about ...


Water Sustainability Graduate Certificate

  • University of South Florida (Tampa) (FL)
  • University of South Florida (FL)

Skilled sustainability professionals are needed in order to create effective solutions to the complex global water challenges. This certificate program will equip students with the theory, practice and skills to ...

  • Posted Feb. 23, 2023
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Fighting the Drought with Fullerton Arboretum

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

As much of California and the West continue to endure a worsening drought, it’s more critical than ever to prioritize water conservation. The Fullerton Arboretum Director, Greg Dyment, offers ...


Campus Recognized for Energy, Water Efficiency

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

Cal State Fullerton has been honored with two Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Best Practice Awards and will be recognized in June at the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference.

One of ...


LEED Gold: Student Recreation Center

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

Going for the Gold has special meaning for Cal State Fullerton’s Student Recreation Center, which has the honor of being the first CSUF building awarded a Gold Leadership in ...


LEED Platinum: Student Housing Phase III

  • California State University, Fullerton (CA)

Cal State Fullerton’s newest student housing complex is a step ahead of any statewide — it is the first in California awarded the Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ...


Water Action Plan

  • Weber State University (UT)

This plan focuses on key facilities upgrades, efficiency measures, and improved stormwater management. It also calls for increased metrics to improve water planning and management.

  • Posted Oct. 28, 2022
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Environmental Sustainability at University of Washington Bothell

  • University of Washington, Bothell (WA)

Campus design considerations have always focused on impacts on biodiversity and the environment, and sustainable grounds practices are key to UW Bothell’s operations. The grounds team is a core ...


College of the Atlantic

  • College of the Atlantic (ME)

At College of the Atlantic, education goes beyond understanding the world as it is to enabling students to actively shape the future. A leader in experiential learning and environmental stewardship ...


Stormwater Biofiltration System at UNC Greensboro

  • University of North Carolina, Greensboro (NC)

Located outside the Kaplan Center for Wellness at UNC Greensboro, this is one of several biofiltration systems on campus which reduce flooding and filter stormwater to remove pollutants before they ...

This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.

All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.

OP 21: Water Use

OP 22: Rainwater Management

Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.

Water Partners