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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Soil Erosion Service Project
- Oregon State University-Cascades Campus (OR)
Students, staff, and faculty at the OSU-Cascades participated in an erosion control service project lead by OSU-Cascades Sustainability Program on a construction site on Oregon State University's campus in Bend, …
- Posted April 29, 2021
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University Stormwater Management within Urban Environmental Regulatory Regimes: Barriers to Progressivity or Opportunities to Innovate?
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
- University of California, San Diego (CA)
- University of Louisville (KY)
- Virginia Tech (VA)
- Monash University (VIC)
- The Nature Conservancy (VA)
U.S. public university campuses are held directly responsible for compliance with many of the same federal- and state-level environmental regulations as cities, including stormwater management. While operating as ‘cities within …
- Posted Feb. 10, 2021
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Decontamination of Wastewater Using Activated Biochar from Agricultural Waste: A Practical Experiment for Environmental Sciences Students
- Universidad de Córdoba
Safe and high-quality water is essential from both the health and environmental perspectives. Water quality is so important that the United Nations has included water in the 17 Sustainable Development …
- Posted Feb. 9, 2021
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Teaching Sustainability via the Environmental Humanities: Studying Water, Studying Ourselves
- College of Charleston (SC)
The dawning anthropocene requires innovation and organizational change across all types of institutions, including in higher education. One area where innovation can occur is in curricula building, and the offering …
- Posted Feb. 8, 2021
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Water Resources Minor
- Montana State University (MT)
The Montana State University Water Resources Minor is designed to encourage students from any discipline to explore water resources beyond course work in their major. As a result, the minor …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
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Sustainable Water Resources Minor
- San Jose State University (CA)
The minor in Sustainble Water Resources is offered by the Department of Environmental Studies. The minor requires a minimum of 21 units across courses in water resource management, water policy, …
- Posted Dec. 17, 2020
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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee - Alliance for Water Stewardship Partnership
- University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (WI)
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has partnered with the Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) to develop the first curricular program in the nation dedicated to training students in professional water stewardship planning …
- Posted Oct. 24, 2020
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Central New Mexico Community College, Main Campus Detention Basin
- Central New Mexico Community College (NM)
Photos # 1 & 2 Description: This detention basin slows and filters stormwater that drains from a large parking lot located at CNM Main Campus, near University Avenue. It also …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
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Tennessee Tech's Hydration Stations
- Tennessee Technological University (TN)
Hydration or bottle-refill stations are installed at both indoor and outdoor areas on Tennessee Tech’s campus which allow students to refill their water bottles and monitor plastic water bottle savings. …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
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Tennessee Tech’s Sustainable Intramural Pavilion
- Tennessee Technological University (TN)
The Tennessee Tech intramural facility features pervious pavement and an underground drainage system below the volleyball court. The pervious pavement allows rainwater to flow through it and deposit into a …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
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University of Minnesota, Duluth - Pollinator Pledge
- University of Minnesota, Duluth (MN)
Three students -- Rachel Hopwood, Michael Purtell, and Dave Herrera -- pioneered the passing of an operational policy that protects the University of Minnesota Duluth's campus pollinators in perpetuity. Referred …
- Posted Oct. 19, 2020
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CSU Monterey Bay - Laundry to Landscape
- California State University, Monterey Bay (CA)
CSU Monterey Bay implemented a pilot laundry to landscape project that is connected to 8 washing machines. The greywater is filtered and then distributed to adjacent landscaping. The project was …
- Posted Oct. 15, 2020
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Raritan Valley Community College Living Wall
- Raritan Valley Community College (NJ)
RVCC students enjoy the two-story living wall in the student center. Captured rainwater feeds the living wall and the building's toilets.
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
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Cal State East Bay Embraces System-wide Single-use Plastics Policy
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
The California State University system passed a new system-wide policy in 2019 that applies to all 23 CSU campuses in banning the institutional purchase of all single-use plastics. Plastic straws …
- Posted Oct. 14, 2020
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Concordia Institute for Water, Energy and Sustainable Systems
- Concordia University (QC)
The Concordia Institute for Water, Energy and Sustainable Systems (CIWESS) trains students to be at the forefront of sustainable development practices. It promotes research into new systems, technologies and solutions …
- Posted Sept. 22, 2020
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Sustainability Education in the Food-Energy-Water-Nexus
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
- AASHE (MA)
- Sustainability Curriculum Consortium (MD)
Worldwide, there has been growing interest in research, education, and discourse around the FEW-Nexus, which serves as a framework to describe and aid in addressing complex coupled human-natural systems and …
- Posted Aug. 27, 2020
- Videos & Webinars
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Toxic Art: Sustainable Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage for Pigment Production
- Ohio University (OH)
- Rural Action (OH)
This exemplary sustainability project utilizes an Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)-to-Paint Pigment treatment technology developed by Guy Riefler and John Sabraw at Ohio University to simultaneously benefit the environment, the economy …
- Posted May 18, 2020
- Case Studies
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Grand Valley State University - Water Sustainability
- Grand Valley State University (MI)
Abstract - Grand Valley State University - Water Sustainability
Having success in reducing energy consumption and costs, Grand Valley State University (GVSU) located in the state of Michigan, looked at …
- Posted May 15, 2020
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Evaluating the performance of a decentralized graywater treatment system in a living building at Hampshire College, Amherst, MA, USA
- Hampshire College (MA)
Decentralized graywater treatment systems are growing in popularity as the threat of water scarcity rises and wastewater's potential as a resource is recognized. In 2016, Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, …
- Posted May 11, 2020
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Sustainability Impacts of Installing Low-Flow Toilets in a University Residence Hall
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
- University of Wisconsin-Madison (WI)
This study evaluates the sustainability impact of replacing inefficient toilets with low-flow units in a residence hall at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A graduate student initiated this project through the …
- Posted May 11, 2020
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Watershed Sciences Minor
- Auburn University (AL)
Freshwater is an essential resource but becoming increasingly scarce in many parts of the world. Watershed science and management is an expanding field that involves managing the availability, quantity, and …
- Posted Feb. 3, 2020
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Applied Water Science (Honours BSc)
- Wilfrid Laurier University (ON)
The BSc in Applied Water Science will train students in not only the underlying scientific principles and theory pertaining to the physical, chemical and biological properties of water, but it …
- Posted Dec. 23, 2019
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Teaching Water Sustainability Through Regional and Global Studies at the University of Pittsburgh
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
The poster exhibits a multidisciplinary approach to understanding water equity and sustainability in the understudied region of Central Eurasia. The effort is led by faculty from the University of Pittsburgh, …
- Posted Dec. 4, 2019
- Conference Presentations
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Towson University Campus Sustainability Week
- Towson University (MD)
Towson University Campus Sustianability Week contained fun and educational experiences for our students. We had tabling events for composting at home, being more sustainable with our water consumption, pollinator garden …
- Posted Nov. 7, 2019
- Photographs
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Canada's colleges and universities among the greenest in the world
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
- Dalhousie University (NS)
- Thompson Rivers University (BC)
- AASHE (MA)
- Nova Scotia Community College (NS)
- Mohawk College (ON)
CBC News shares the news that college and university campuses across Canada are some of the greenest schools in the world according to the 2019 Sustainable Campus Index.
- Posted Sept. 30, 2019
- Publications
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Class of 2023 receives reusable water bottles to reduce plastic waste
- George Washington University (DC)
- AASHE (MA)
- Fill it Forward (ON)
George Washington University explores water savings with "Fill It Forward" campaign from Cupanion.
- Posted Sept. 24, 2019
- Publications
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Environmental and Water Resources Engineering (MS)
- University at Buffalo (NY)
Students pursuing the EWRE degree follow a single set of course requirements with considerable flexibility in selection of elective classes.
Some of the top priorities concerning environmental engineers are the …
- Posted Sept. 5, 2019
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LEED Platinum Sustainability Center at CSUN
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
LEED Platinum Sustainability Center - The new LEED Platinum Sustainability Center at California State University, Northridge is the first Sustainability Center in the California State University system, serving as an …
- Posted July 29, 2019
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MS Water Management & Hydrological Science
- Texas A&M University (TX)
The Water Management and Hydrologic Science Master’s program in the College of Geosciences at Texas A&M University uses a unique interdisciplinary approach to teach critical aspects of water management, conservation, …
- Posted May 22, 2019
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Student Sustainability Leadership Award
- California State University Maritime Academy (CA)
California State University Maritime Academy in its continued effort to becoming most sustainable campus, engaging staff, faculty, and students, explored and identified water saving opportunities for the campus. The project …
- Posted May 20, 2019
- Case Studies
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Do, Learn, Do: Expanding Green Roof Infrastructure at Notre Dame
- University of Notre Dame (IN)
*See this story for more information: https://news.nd.edu/news/largest-roof-greenscape-in-indiana-lives-atop-notre-dames-joyce-center/ *
Athletics are key to campus life at the University of Notre Dame, as are the facilities that make them possible. Over the …
- Posted May 17, 2019
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The Ripple Effect: Community Cultivated, Regionally Replicated
- University of Louisiana at Lafayette (LA)
Last fall, the U.S. Global Change Research Program released “Volume II: Impacts, Risks, and Adaptation in the United States” from the Fourth National Climate Assessment (NCA4). It emphasizes that the …
- Posted May 17, 2019
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Ryerson University Road Salt Reduction Demonstration Project
- Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) (ON)
- World Wildlife Fund (DC)
In the City of Toronto, more than 120,000 tonnes of road salt is applied each year. When snow and ice on our streets, sidewalks and parking lots melt, the salty …
- Posted May 17, 2019
- Case Studies
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Recycled Water Innovation at San Jose State University
- San Jose State University (CA)
San Jose State University has a central plant that provides utilities (electricity, steam, and chilled water) to its main campus. It has been a customer of South Bay Water Recyclers …
- Posted May 15, 2019
- Case Studies
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Starting a Sustainable Revolution in Campus Laboratories
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (AL)
UAB Green Labs Program is an institution-wide, voluntary program designed to reduce the university’s environmental footprint while simultaneously reducing operating costs of research buildings. The program accomplishes its goals by …
- Posted May 15, 2019
- Case Studies
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The Promotion of Indoor Drinking Water Fountains at UBC
- University of British Columbia (BC)
The University of British Columbia (UBC), located in Vancouver, Canada, offers its students, staff and visitors free tap water through campus-wide drinking fountains (water fountains). However, there are currently no …
- Posted May 15, 2019
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The Rise of H2Ottawa
- University of Ottawa (ON)
In 2010, the University of Ottawa (hereafter, UO) banned the sale of single-use water bottles. UO decided that the sale of this product ran contrary to their commitments to environmental, …
- Posted May 15, 2019
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Sustainable Water Development Graduate Certificate
- University of Iowa (IA)
The Graduate Certificate in Sustainable Water Development (SWD) will train STEM graduate students to address future challenges of water scarcity and variability while also meeting the food and energy demands …
- Posted May 13, 2019
- Academic Programs
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Sustainable Water Development (PhD)
- University of Iowa (IA)
The Sustainable Water Development Doctoral Program addresses social justice issues like food, energy, and water for all. Students make a difference in communities with the greatest need, most notable sustainable …
- Posted May 13, 2019
- Academic Programs
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Sustainable Water Development (MS)
- University of Iowa (IA)
The Sustainable Water Development Graduate Program addresses social justice issues like food, energy, and water for all. Students make a difference in communities with the greatest need, most notable sustainable …
- Posted May 13, 2019
- Academic Programs
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The Dallas County Community College District Booth Won an Award at EarthX!
- Dallas County Community College District System Office (TX)
- Dallas College (TX)
In Dallas TX, we have the biggest annual celebration of Earth Day! At Fair Park EarthX hosted a three day celebration with more than 135,000 attendees, 679 exhibitors and 400 …
- Posted May 5, 2019
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DIY Succulent Planters
- California State University, East Bay (CA)
Students plant their own water friendly succulent to take home and watch grow. Encouraging sustainable landscaping and awareness about water conservation efforts.
- Posted May 5, 2019
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Freshwater Quality Monitoring and Assessment Certificate
- University College Cork - National University of Ireland, Cork (Co. Cork)
This United Nations (UN) Environment affiliated postgraduate diploma will provide existing or future water professionals with the necessary knowledge to design and implement freshwater quality monitoring and assessment programmes. The …
- Posted May 5, 2019
- Academic Programs
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Water and the Environment Minor
- University of Michigan (MI)
Water is one of the simplest molecules on Earth, yet the simple structure of the water molecule yields unique and complex physical properties. Known as a “universal solvent,” water can …
- Posted May 5, 2019
- Academic Programs
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Integrated Teaching and Practice: Green Infrastructure Planning and Green Roof Performance in a Semi-Arid Campus Environment, USA
- University of Arizona (AZ)
- Utah State University (UT)
This paper presents an integrated education and research program that involves extensive participation from stakeholders on campus and beyond. The resultant water conscious design proposal promotes efficient stormwater management on …
- Posted April 29, 2019
- Publications
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How Water Bottle Refill Stations Contribute to Campus Sustainability: A Case Study in Japan
- Ritsumeikan University
The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of installing Water bottle Refill Stations (WRSs) and their contributions to campus sustainability by means of encouraging pro-environmental behavior in …
- Posted March 30, 2019
- Publications
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The WaterHub at Emory - A Case Study for Water ReUse
- Emory University (GA)
- AASHE (MA)
- NextEra Distributed Water, Inc. (VA)
The Atlanta region has witnessed numerous water-related stresses, including severe drought, EPA mandates resolving critical infrastructure issues, and an extended political dispute over water rights. In 2013, Emory University explored …
- Posted March 15, 2019
- Videos & Webinars
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Civil Engineering, Environmental and Water Resources Option (BASc)
- University of Ottawa (ON)
Civil engineers design the infrastructure on which their communities depend, such as buildings and their foundations, bridges, canals, dams, transportation facilities, municipal sewer and water networks, and wastewater and solid …
- Posted Jan. 14, 2019
- Academic Programs
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Urban Water Resources Design Certificate
- Villanova University (PA)
This program is geared to Civil Engineers and Water Resource Professionals engaged in design of urban hydraulic and hydrologic systems in the built environment. The certificate consists of four graduate …
- Posted Jan. 14, 2019
- Academic Programs
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Watershed Minor
- University of Tennessee at Knoxville (TN)
Growing awareness of the complexity of water quantity and quality issues related to human activities leads to dealing with those issues on a watershed scale. This minor is for undergraduate …
- Posted Jan. 12, 2019
- Academic Programs
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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.