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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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
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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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Network Analysis of Goal 14 Within the PD4SDG Database
- Tarleton State University (TX)
Research is being done to analyze how networks promote regime formation. The goal of the project is to understand if an increase in cooperation will lead to sustainable development transforming …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Marine and Conservation Biology (BS)
- Seattle University (WA)
The bachelor of science (BS) major in marine and conservation biology allows students to develop an appreciation for the marine environments and ecology and conservation efforts. The curriculum includes several …
- Posted Dec. 21, 2018
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Lake Management (MS)
- State University of New York at Oneonta (NY)
SUNY Oneonta's M.S. in Lake Management curriculum trains students to become effective water resource management professionals. This innovative program blends scientific training in aquatic biology, limnology and quantitative skills with …
- Posted Dec. 13, 2018
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Sustainability and the Global Nitrogen Cycle: Water Quality Issues.
- University of Northern Iowa (IA)
Dr. Zeman has been researching and educating about both the acute and chronic health effects of nitrate in drinking water for 20 years. This talk will look at issues covered …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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From Root to STEM: Growing Water Use Awareness Through Visualization
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
The STEM N' Sustainability program offered by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power is designed to give women knowledge, resources and opportunities to pursue STEM-related careers in fields, …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Harvesting Hope for the Future Through Green Infrastructure
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Tucson is situated in one of the most arid regions of the world. Consequently, conserving water for the use of both people and the environment is of utmost importance. Doing …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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On-Campus Water Reclamation: A Tale of Two Cities
- Arizona State University (AZ)
- Emory University (GA)
- NextEra Distributed Water, Inc. (VA)
Think globally. Act locally. Water is a critical issue in many parts of the world. See how Emory University and Arizona State University have turned to on-campus water reclamation as …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Addressing the Global Water Crisis: One Toilet at a Time
- Niagara Conservation (TX)
Water scarcity is one of the most pressing issues in sustainability today. How can we address the global water crisis? Emily Schmidt from Niagara will explore the large scale impacts …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Urban, Rural, and On-Campus Solutions (UROC): Living Campus Accelerator Toolkit
- Arizona State University (AZ)
Arizona State University has committed to becoming carbon neutral for campus buildings by 2025. University Sustainability Practices (USP) is working tirelessly to help fulfill this vision. USP and partner universities …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Saving Water in University Library
- Indiana University Indianapolis (IN)
Being an urban campus the preservation of resources such as water are becoming more and more crucial. This project is a move in that direction, as well as that it …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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A Comparison of four Campuses Water Usage: A look at contrasting water profiles in the Southwest.
- Arizona State University (AZ)
We will introduce you to four campuses of varying sizes, disciplines, histories - all located in the Southwest and part of one University. Each campus has its own water profile …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Fats, Oils and Grease - 'Don't Flush It'
- Georgia College & State University (GA)
Georgia College & State University (GC) in partnership with the City of Milledgeville's Waste Water Treatment Program in Milledgeville, GA, have joined to educate the campus community on waste disposal …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Microbial assessment of rainwater tanks and runoff retention basins: A pilot study
- West Chester University of Pennsylvania (PA)
Exploring the reuse potential of stormwater runoff and the roof-top rainwater, to meet water supply needs on the University campus is the core focus of this research. Although rainwater is …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Using Sub-Metering to Prioritize and Measure Energy Management Projects
- Macalester College (MN)
Every institution faces limitations as it relates to spending money. These limitations can be on operating budgets, staffing levels, or both. It is paramount while operating within these limits to …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Engaging Students and Low-Income Community Members: Successes in Conservation and Social Equity
- University of Colorado Boulder (CO)
The FLOWS program (Foundation for Leaders Organizing for Water and Sustainability), is made up of diverse CU Boulder Environmental Center student staff and historically marginalized community members that team up …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Three Zeros Environmental Initiative at UNC Chapel Hill: The Chancellor's Sustainability Charge
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
- SmithGroup (MI)
The University of North Carolina (UNC) has set a new global standard for sustainability in higher education's constantly evolving environment. UNC is scaling its impact through the Three Zeros Environmental …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
- Conference Presentations
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Shorter showers? There's an App for that!
- University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (MA)
- NORESCO (NC)
Over the past 6 years, UMass Dartmouth has been tracking student's shower times. This has ranged from self-reported times, to specifically supported timed studies to now the development of an …
- Posted Nov. 5, 2018
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Water Resource Management Certificate
- Green Mountain College (VT)
The Eco League Water Resources Management Certificate program trains students to meet the water crisis head on through an integrated, solution-oriented, hands-on program that takes advantage of regional perspectives and …
- Posted Oct. 15, 2018
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Water Science (BS)
- University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NE)
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln's water science major includes instruction in water science, natural resources, biological and physical sciences and mathematics and statistics, as well as in the humanities, social sciences …
- Posted Aug. 30, 2018
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Water Audit: Campus Housing Residence Halls Restrooms
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
This project was set to evaluate the student residence restrooms of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) East and West campuses and to provide viable solutions to any problems. …
- Posted Aug. 29, 2018
- Case Studies
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Campus bottled water bans, not always the solution
- Allegheny College (PA)
The purpose of this study was to identify how to reduce bottled water use on our campus, given that the majority of students were bringing it onto campus from outside …
- Posted Aug. 6, 2018
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Creating a water-saver self-identity reduces water use in residence halls
- James Madison University (VA)
- Loyola University Chicago (IL)
Water scarcity is a pressing social problem. Attempts to increase conservation that focus on education or attitudes produce limited success. Installing efficient appliances reduces water use, but can be costly. …
- Posted Aug. 6, 2018
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Indirect Water Footprint Illustration
- University of Virginia (VA)
University of Virginia is the first institution to document an indirect/virtual water footprint for the water impact of products purchased by the institution. A recent study calculated the UVA water …
- Posted Aug. 1, 2018
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LMU Reclaimed Water System
- Loyola Marymount University (CA)
Photo of LMU reclaimed system that the city adapted for city wide use.
- Posted July 31, 2018
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ZipGrow Towers at Missouri State University
- Missouri State University (MO)
In summer 2016, a basement storage room at Missouri State University was repurposed into a hydroponic growing room for the ZipGrow vertical growing towers program. Chartwells and MSU Dining Services …
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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MSU ZipGrow Tower full growth
- Missouri State University (MO)
In summer 2016, a basement storage room at Missouri State University was repurposed into a hydroponic growing room for the ZipGrow vertical growing towers program. Chartwells and MSU Dining Services …
- Posted July 30, 2018
- Photographs
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Electricity and Water Conservation on College and University Campuses in Response to National Competitions among Dormitories: Quantifying Relationships between Behavior, Conservation Strategies and Psychological Metrics
- New York University (NY)
- Oberlin College (OH)
“Campus Conservation Nationals” (CCN) is a recurring, nation-wide electricity and water-use reduction competition among dormitories on college campuses. We conducted a two year empirical study of the competition’s effects on …
- Posted June 29, 2018
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Wetland Ecology Minor
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
The Department of Natural Resources & the Environment offers an interdisciplinary minor in wetland ecology. It is available to all students in biology, botany, environmental conservation, forestry, plant biology, environmental …
- Posted June 13, 2018
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Sustainable Choices
- Chandler-Gilbert Community College (AZ)
Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) is a fast growing community college in a suburb of the Phoenix Metro area. As one of ten colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District …
- Posted May 21, 2018
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Making Climate Commitments into Climate Action
- University of Illinois Chicago (IL)
The Climate Action Implementation Plan (CAIP) is the sustainability action plan for the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). The UIC Climate Commitments, announced in April 2016, form the basis …
- Posted May 21, 2018
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The WaterHub at Emory University – Engaging Campus & Community in Water Reclamation
- Emory University (GA)
The WaterHub at Emory University is an on-site water recycling system, utilizing biomimicry, or engineered processes that emulate natural ecological systems, to reclaim wastewater for heating and cooling buildings and …
- Posted May 21, 2018
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Assessing the Energy and Water Use of Vertical Farming at Princeton University
- Princeton University (NJ)
Research in sustainable solutions for harmful large-scale agriculture will help preserve the earth’s ecosystems and natural resources. Hydroponics is a method of farming that is shown to use considerably less …
- Posted May 18, 2018
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Virtual Water as a Metric for Institutional Sustainability
- University of Virginia (VA)
Carbon and nitrogen footprints are increasingly common metrics used to consider the environmental impacts of activities and consumption by institutions; an institutional water footprint complements these assessments by providing a …
- Posted May 14, 2018
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The ripple effect: Hydo-Aeorponics growing on campus
- Missouri Southern State University (MO)
- Chartwells Higher Education (NY)
In August of 2016 Missouri State University brought 2 zip grow towers( a Hydo-Aeorponics vertical grow tower system) to campus in partnership to display a hyper-local growing option for produce. …
- Posted May 11, 2018
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Restoring our Lake
- University at Buffalo (NY)
The North Shore of Lake LaSalle is currently a non-vegetated section of shoreline. Erosion has left steep slopes, exposed soil, and undercut shorelines. Beginning in late April of 2018 a …
- Posted April 25, 2018
- Photographs
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Water Cage at Northeastern University
- Northeastern University (MA)
Water cage demonstration created on campus quad. Filled large cage with water bottles and attached facts and data about plastic bottle usage around the outside of the cage. Very effective, …
- Posted April 23, 2018
- Photographs
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Water Resources Minor
- State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)
The interdisciplinary minor in water resources is designed as a flexible program for undergraduate students to study and integrate principles of physical hydrology, geochemistry, aquatic and terrestrial ecology, natural resources …
- Posted April 12, 2018
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Soils, Water & Environmental Science Minor
- University of Arizona (AZ)
The SWES minor provides students with scientific tools and experience needed to inform practitioners and policymakers in the areas on environmental science, including but not limited to, industrial hygiene, ecology, …
- Posted April 12, 2018
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Water Science Minor
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
This program is designed to provide students with a strong and structured physical understanding of hydrological processes that affect the quantity and movement of surface and near-surface waters and the …
- Posted April 12, 2018
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Water Resources Minor
- Cornell University (NY)
The minor in water resources provides an opportunity for students in M. S. and Ph. D. degree programs to complement their major subject area with studies related to water resources. …
- Posted April 12, 2018
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Water Science & Management (MS)
- New Mexico State University (NM)
We face serious challenges concerning the supply, development, quality, management, and administration of water resources; responses to the challenges will have major impacts on regional economy, environmental quality, and the …
- Posted April 12, 2018
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Water Science & Management (PhD)
- New Mexico State University (NM)
We face serious challenges concerning the supply, development, quality, management, and administration of water resources; responses to the challenges will have major impacts on regional economy, environmental quality, and the …
- Posted April 12, 2018
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Environmental & Water Resource Economics (BS)
- University of Arizona (AZ)
A degree in Environmental Water Resource and Economics (EWRE) prepares students to assume responsible positions in the management of the world's natural and human resources.
- Posted April 12, 2018
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Water, Society & Policy (MS)
- University of Arizona (AZ)
The WSP degree provides a multi-disciplinary exposure to human and environmental processes that affect water and watersheds. Students in this program gain understanding of the basic principles of hydrology, social …
- Posted April 12, 2018
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Water Resources Certificate
- Worcester Polytechnic Institute (MA)
The Water Resources graduate certificate program at WPI offers a comprehensive set of graduate-level courses in a specialized area of environmental engineering to enhance students knowledgebase and increase marketability in …
- Posted April 12, 2018
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Using Energy and Water Reduction Competitions to Effect Tangible Change
- AASHE (MA)
- Atrius (CA)
This webinar provides a better understanding of how to coordinate campus energy and water reduction competitions. Learn how to facilitate an effective competition on campus to inspire behavioral change and …
- Posted April 3, 2018
- Videos & Webinars
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Case Study: Using a Service-Learning Course to Reinforce the Three Pillars of Sustainability
- University of Mississippi (MS)
Service-learning courses at the university level provide a unique opportunity for students to learn about sustainability. The senior and graduate level elective course Service-Learning for Water Treatment at the University …
- Posted March 9, 2018
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Sustainable Water Management
- Tufts University (MA)
Launched by the Tufts Institute for the Environment, the one-year interdisciplinary master’s program offers four tracks, encompassing such areas as urban water infrastructure, the water-energy-food nexus, water diplomacy, and international …
- Posted Feb. 20, 2018
- 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.