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.
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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 …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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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 …
- Posted May 31, 2023
- Case Studies
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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 impact …
- Posted May 17, 2023
- Conference Presentations
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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
- Course Materials
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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 …
- Posted May 3, 2023
- Photographs
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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 …
- Posted May 3, 2023
- Case Studies
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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
- Academic Programs
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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, “Water …
- Posted Nov. 29, 2022
- Photographs
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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 …
- Posted Nov. 29, 2022
- Photographs
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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 Energy …
- Posted Nov. 29, 2022
- Photographs
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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 …
- Posted Nov. 29, 2022
- Photographs
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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
- Publications
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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 pillar …
- Posted Aug. 2, 2022
- Photographs
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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, …
- Posted Aug. 2, 2022
- Photographs
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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 …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Dr. Sherie Obare, Dean of the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering
- Appalachian State University (NC)
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Marquette University (WI)
- North Carolina A&T State University (NC)
- North Carolina State University (NC)
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
- University of North Carolina, Greensboro (NC)
- University of Florida (FL)
The Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Center was established as a convergence of diverse and leading scientists to address the influx of phosphorus in oceans and expansion of …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Princeton Builds Sustainability
- Princeton University (NJ)
Princeton recycles at least 95% of its materials in construction and demolition projects, while investing in water-saving and emissions-reducing technologies in and around its new buildings such as the construction …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Agnes Scott College - Retention Pond / 'Lake Agnes'
- Agnes Scott College (GA)
Agnes Scott is committed to using no potable water for campus landscaping, capturing stormwater from the entire campus in a retention pond ('Lake Agnes') that is used for landscape watering, …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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131st Opening Convocation Ceremony at Frost Amphitheater
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford broadened its stormwater management in 2018-19 with the addition of two pumping stations that will send runoff into the University’s non-potable irrigation water system, used for watering lawns and …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Stanford Arizona Garden
- Stanford University (CA)
The garden, also known as the Cactus Garden, was designed for Jane and Leland Stanford by landscape architect Rudolf Ulrich between 1881 and 1883. The garden, also known as the …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Mohawk College Birch Bark Canoe
- Mohawk College (ON)
Master canoe-maker Chuck Commanda from Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg, a First Nations community in Quebec, has been teaching a group of Indigenous students at Mohawk College how to build a birch …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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Cascadia College stormwater berm work
- Cascadia College (WA)
Students working on a stormwater berm to catch and slow water entering our campus 58-acre restored wetland! The project is funded by King County Water Treatment Division. Students learn about …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2022
- Photographs
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UIC (Top Performer in the 2022 Sustainable Campus Index)
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
Water
- Posted July 27, 2022
- Photographs
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Carleton University - Top Performer 2022 SCI submission
- Carleton University (ON)
Images showing water use, campus views and student wellbeing.
- Posted July 25, 2022
- Photographs
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Interdisciplinary Graduate Certificate in Hydrology and Water Resources (GCSC)
- University of Utah (UT)
The amount, flux, and quality of water are central to nearly all issues of sustainability. The Hydrology and Water Resources certificate at the University of Utah integrates courses from five …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
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LLM in Water and Environmental Law
- University of the Pacific (CA)
The Program in Water and Environmental Law combines learning about natural resources science, technology and economics, with strong legal coursework and hands-on training. It offers a U.S. Law Track and …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
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Graduate Certificate in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)
- Emory University (GA)
The Certificate in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) at the Rollins School of Public Health (RSPH) is offered through the Center for Global Safe Water at Emory University (CGSW) and …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
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Civil Engineering MS, Water Resources Engineering Track
- University of Central Florida (FL)
The Water Resources Engineering track in the Civil Engineering MS program reflects the very broad nature of the field, which encompasses the design, construction, and enhancement of the sustainable infrastructure …
- Posted June 10, 2022
- Academic Programs
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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Water Plan
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
Sustaining water quantity and quality for people and the environment is a growing challenge. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is committed to working to ensure clean water …
- Posted May 20, 2022
- Publications
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Water–energy–carbon nexus at campus scale: Case of North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power
- North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power
- Nanjing University
Clarifying the nexus between water, energy, and carbon has great importance regarding regional sustainable development. A university campus is a multifunctional comprehensive community attribute suitable for exploring campus–scale water–energy–carbon nexus …
- Posted May 20, 2022
- Publications
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Improving Laboratory Water and Energy Efficiency at Tufts University
- Tufts University (MA)
The Biomedical Engineering (BME) and Chemical and Biological Engineering (CHBE) Departments at Tufts University installed a small autoclave (a laboratory sanitation machine) to reduce energy and water consumption in our …
- Posted May 20, 2022
- Case Studies
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Water conservation potential within higher education institutions: lessons from a Brazilian university
- Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, UFCG
- Universidade de Pernambuco
This study seeks to analyze water consumption and promote water conservation measures in universities through a case study conducted at the University of Pernambuco, Brazil. The methodology consisted of collecting …
- Posted May 11, 2022
- Publications
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Queens College Is Reducing Plastic Water Bottle Use
- City University of New York, Queens College (NY)
As part of our college's efforts to reduce single-use plastics on campus, our ongoing sustainability initiative includes the removal of older water fountains and installation of water bottle filling stations …
- Posted May 2, 2022
- Photographs
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Team PreciPITTation: Addressing Our Urban Campus Stormwater Needs
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
The University of Pittsburgh Oakland Campus (Pitt) offers a diverse urban terrain ideal for the planning and implementation of sustainable stormwater management practices. Without such planning our campus will continue …
- Posted March 10, 2022
- Publications
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U.S. & Canadian "Climate Havens" - Networking & Preparedness Around Where It Will Suck Less
- University at Buffalo (NY)
- University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)
Water is Life. The Great Lakes Region, the U.S. and Canada, are becoming known as future "Climate Havens" of this century. Cities and universities are beginning to take notice of …
- Posted Jan. 21, 2022
- Conference Presentations
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Not Just an Efficient Toilet: Shifting from Water Management to Water Stewardship
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)
- Alliance for Water Stewardship
Universities have employed traditional water efficiency strategies effectively. But what if your institution's water is sourced from communities adversely impacted by water withdrawals? Or if rainfall on your campus contributes …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Using Research to Improve Water Sustainability at Weber State University
- Weber State University (UT)
Our student session will focus on undergraduate research done in Ogden, Utah at Weber State University. This research investigates attitudes, beliefs and perceptions towards water and water use held by …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Findensers and Floods: A Pilot Study on Reducing Campus Laboratory Water Use
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
Hey, there's water all over!' a department director recalled exclaiming when he discovered the chemistry building's most-recent flood. Floods occur periodically in buildings at the University of Wisconsin. They damage …
- Posted Nov. 15, 2021
- Conference Presentations
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Data-Driven Campus Energy Management: the ENERGY STAR Higher Education Benchmarking Initiative
- Kentucky Community and Technical College System Office (KY)
- University of Chicago (IL)
- AASHE (MA)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
This webinar will dive into the inaugural round of the ENERGY STAR Higher Education Benchmarking Initiative, or HEBI. Nearly 200 campuses representing nearly 100 institutions in the United States and …
- Posted Nov. 9, 2021
- Videos & Webinars
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Water Action Plan
- California State University, Long Beach (CA)
CSULB is committed to sustainability in all operations including the use of natural resources such as water. The campus aims to reduce water use as much as possible and use …
- Posted Oct. 6, 2021
- Publications
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Drains on the System
- Macalester College (MN)
Macalester student volunteers stencil signs near storm drains in Saint Paul, Minn. to raise awareness about runoff pollution in the Mississippi River. This event was a collaboration between the Civic …
- Posted Sept. 20, 2021
- Photographs
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SUNY ESF Photos
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
SUNY ESF is committed to developing creative, effective solutions that address sustainability challenges and adopting holistic practices and approaches that balance environmental, social, economic, and technological factors. This commitment starts …
- Posted Sept. 7, 2021
- Photographs
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Water Management at American University
- American University (DC)
Submission for SCI 2021. Top performer in the "Water" area.
- Posted Aug. 30, 2021
- Photographs
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Sterling College: Wetland Ecology
- Sterling College (VT) (VT)
Wetland ecology students at Sterling College visit all the major wetland types occurring in Vermont. At the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge they learn about managing wetland habitat for migratory birds …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2021
- Photographs
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The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
The Kendeda Building - The Kendeda Building for Innovative Sustainable Design at Georgia Institute of Technology is the first building in Georgia to earn Living Building Challenge certification. The Kendeda …
- Posted Aug. 23, 2021
- Photographs
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Assessing water literacy at a primarily undergraduate university in Ohio
- Malone College (OH)
As the impacts of water quality on human health become better understood, universities have an opportunity to equip students to become more informed and responsible citizens. We define water literacy …
- Posted May 5, 2021
- Publications
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SOSTAUGA project: reduction of water consumption and evaluation of potential uses for endogenous resources
- University of A Coruña (a Coruña)
The University of A Coruña (UDC) elaborated the SOSTAUGA project, aiming to reach a higher sustainable level of its water management. SOSTAUGA defined four priority points of action: the restoration …
- Posted May 4, 2021
- Publications
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Ecological Restoration on BCIT Burnaby Campus
- British Columbia Institute of Technology (BC)
The ecological restoration of Parking Lot O on the BCIT Burnaby campus is well under way. What was a gravel parking lot is being transformed into a landscaped natural area …
- Posted April 30, 2021
- Photographs
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Bowie State University Stream Clean Up: Two distinct generations come together to help Mother Earth
- Bowie State University (MD)
Through a partnership with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Bowie State University invited nearby Collington Retirement Community to join together for an Earth Day stream clean up event in …
- Posted April 30, 2021
- Photographs
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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
- Level of Physical Risk Quantity (World Resources Institute Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas)
- Potable water use per weighted campus user, performance year
- Percentage reduction in potable water use per weighted campus user from baseline
- Potable water use per unit of floor area, performance year
- Percentage reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area from baseline
- Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds, performance year
- Percentage reduction in total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds from baseline
- Water-related behavior change initiatives
- Water recovery and reuse initiatives
- Initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives
- Website URL - Water conservation and efficiency efforts
OP 22: Rainwater Management
- Green infrastructure and LID practices
- Rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines(upload)
- Rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines (description)
- Website URL- Green infrastructure and LID practices
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.