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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Muhlenberg College Water Conservation Native Plants
- Muhlenberg College (PA)
Muhlenberg College has a living learning experience for undergraduate students at the Treehouse. Here, students manage the permculture garden and community vegetable garden which includes a rainwater collection system. The …
- Posted Sept. 14, 2016
- Photographs
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Water is a priority at Wellesley College
- Wellesley College (MA)
Photo shows the importance of water at Wellesley College. We have our own wells and water treatment facility for potable water. The college is also located within the Charles River …
- Posted Sept. 13, 2016
- Photographs
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New System Can Help Save Water with a Couple of Clicks
- University of California, Merced (CA)
Quick-response codes are posted in each restroom in SSM so people can submit repair requests just by scanning with their smart phones.
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Penn State's Living Filter
- Pennsylvania State University (PA)
Students sample water quality at Penn State's "Living Filter", a 600-acre vegetated area where all treated effluent from the University’s wastewater treatment plant is spray applied, eliminating direct discharge to …
- Posted Sept. 12, 2016
- Photographs
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Installation of Coiled Heat Exchange at Miami University
- Miami University (OH)
Miami University’s new stormwater installation combines stormwater treatment and management, geothermal heating and cooling, energy reduction and water conservation. Through this system, rainwater is collected, slowed, cooled and cleaned using …
- Posted Sept. 8, 2016
- Photographs
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Indiana State: Green Infrastructure for Water
- Indiana State University (IN)
Combined Sewer Overflows are a big problem for post-industrial towns like Terre Haute, Indiana, and as Indiana State University provides one of the largest concentrations of users of impervious surfaces …
- Posted Sept. 8, 2016
- Photographs
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CSUN's Saves 55 Million Gallons per Year Through Various Water Conservation Efforts
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
In an effort to meet the State of California's mandated water conservation targets, California State University, Northridge has made significant strides in reducing water use through irrigation improvements and innovations. …
- Posted Sept. 8, 2016
- Photographs
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Water Conservation at the University of Houston
- University of Houston (TX)
A group of University of Houston students enrolled in Energy & Sustainability with similar interests in water conservation investigated a potential water-saving solution for the University of Houston.
Their research …
- Posted Sept. 8, 2016
- Photographs
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Parkerson Mill Creek restoration after one growing season
- Auburn University (AL)
This is Parkerson Mill Creek one growing season after completion of the stream restoration project.
- Posted Sept. 6, 2016
- Photographs
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UOIT Storm Pond
- Ontario Tech University (ON)
To manage runoff on the main UOIT campus, stormwater is directed to wet ponds, bioswales and storm ponds in a manner that demonstrates sustainable storm water design while enriching the …
- Posted Sept. 6, 2016
- Photographs
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Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Integrated Water Management
- University of British Columbia (BC)
The Master of Engineering Leadership (MEL) in Integrated Water Management is an intensive one-year degree program that will enable you to spearhead initiatives focused on water use, treatment, research and …
- Posted Aug. 29, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Bringing the research home: partnership for watershed restoration
- Oregon State University (OR)
The Corvallis Sustainability Coalition is a network of more than 250 businesses, non-profits, faith communities, educational institutions, local governments and individuals in Corvallis, Oregon, brought together to accelerate progress toward …
- Posted Aug. 25, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Stop the Drop! Sign
- University of Connecticut (CT)
Stop the Drop! signs encourage students to report leaks immediately and are intended to be placed near sinks and showers as well as in laundry rooms.
- Posted Aug. 25, 2016
- Outreach Materials
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Net Zero Water Planning Toolkit
- Brendle Group (CO)
The Net Zero Water (NZW) Planning Toolkit is intended to standardize and simplify water analysis and planning, while also maximizing economic returns and environmental benefits. The toolkit includes four phases …
- Posted Aug. 12, 2016
- Tools
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Implementation Model: Water Hub
- Emory University (GA)
- United States Department of Energy (DC)
Emory University’s Water Hub uses on-site, adaptive ecological technology to reclaim up to 400,000 gallons of campus wastewater daily. The system has cut potable water consumption by as much as …
- Posted Aug. 8, 2016
- Tools
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Community engagement and education on energy and water conservation
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
Our capstone Sustainability class students at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) performed over twenty energy and water audits on local businesses in 2016. Each student was required to write up …
- Posted June 11, 2016
- Case Studies
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Watershed UGA: Creating a University-wide Culture of Sustainability
- University of Georgia (GA)
Thanks to funding and inspiration from the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, in 2015 the University of Georgia and its community partners have created a vision and framework for using campus …
- Posted June 11, 2016
- Case Studies
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Facilities and students working together for water conservation
- University of Texas at Austin (TX)
The University of Texas at Austin’s facilities management initiated a comprehensive program in fall 2007 to develop and implement demand-side water conservation measures. During this project it was determined that …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
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Duke Water Reclamation Pond
- Duke University (NC)
After a severe drought in 2007, Duke spearheaded water reclamation projects across campus. The 5.5 acre reclamation pond collects storm water from 22% of Duke's main campus, over 265 acres. …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
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The Water Hub at Emory University
- Emory University (GA)
The WaterHub® is a decentralized, district-scale water reclamation and reuse system serving Emory University’s main campus in Atlanta, Georgia. As the first of its kind in the United States, this …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Case Studies
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Changing Norms by Changing Behavior: The Princeton Drink Local Program
- Princeton University (NJ)
Unprecedented levels of global bottled water consumption present a major challenge for the environment and water conservation initiatives. Educational institutions are in a unique position to promote conservation behavior by …
- Posted June 10, 2016
- Publications
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Western's Water Management Program
- Western University (ON)
Western University has over 90 buildings and most of them didn’t have a water meter. Only those buildings with a direct feed from the City had a meter. In order …
- Posted June 7, 2016
- Case Studies
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CSUN's Approach to Water Conservation Through an Irrigation System Upgrade
- California State University, Northridge (CA)
California State University, Northridge is located in Southern California, an arid region that has been in a drought for several years. With the drought conditions continuing all Californians have been …
- Posted June 6, 2016
- Case Studies
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Sustainable Carolina Farm and Garden Hydroponics
- University of South Carolina (SC)
Sustainable Carolina is a student run organization within the University of South Carolina, working to better our campus by making it more sustainable. We work with students, staff, professors, and …
- Posted June 6, 2016
- Case Studies
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What’s Wrong with the Tap? Examining Perceptions of Tap Water and Bottled Water at Purdue University
- Saint Mary's University of Minnesota (MN)
- Purdue University (IN)
The environmental impacts of bottled water prompted us to explore drinking water choices at Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, IN. A random sample of 2,045 Purdue University students, staff, …
- Posted June 3, 2016
- Publications
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Water Conservation at the University of Houston
- University of Houston (TX)
A group of University of Houston students enrolled in Energy & Sustainability with similar interests in water conservation investigated a potential water-saving solution for the University of Houston.
Their research …
- Posted June 3, 2016
- Publications
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Decision-Analytic Approach for Water Sustainability Definition: A Higher Education Case Study
- George Washington University (DC)
The purpose of this paper is to describe the development of a multi-criteria decision analysis approach that can be used to circumscribe the definition of sustainability within an organization or …
- Posted May 9, 2016
- Publications
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SustainableCI "What's On Your Plate" Challenge
- California State University, Channel Islands (CA)
GIven California's drought situation, it was important to have a water themed challenge for Earth Day 2016, and using http://graphics.latimes.com/food-water-footprint/ as a reference source, "What's On Your Plate" was created …
- Posted May 5, 2016
- Photographs
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CNU Green Earthday Clean-up
- Christopher Newport University (VA)
Christopher Newport University's Office of Sustainability (CNU Green) hosted a volunteer event to clean up Lake Maury. Lake Maury is a lake in Newport News, VA which is part of …
- Posted May 4, 2016
- Photographs
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The Unintended Consequences of Changes in Beverage Options and the Removal of Bottled Water on a University Campus
- University of Vermont (VT)
Objectives. We investigated how the removal of bottled water along with a minimum healthy beverage requirement affected the purchasing behavior, healthiness of beverage choices, and consumption of calories and added …
- Posted May 3, 2016
- Publications
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Rising-seas.org Project
- Johns Hopkins University (MD)
RISING-SEAS.ORG is an online alliance of passionate individuals dedicated to bridging climate awareness and action from all angles. It features visual advocacy campaigns to visualize the communities most endangered by …
- Posted April 20, 2016
- Case Studies
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Watershed Science Certificate
- Sewanee - The University of the South (TN)
The Watershed Science Certificate is designed for students interested in gaining a better understanding of the interactions among the physical, chemical, and biological factors that affect our watersheds and wetlands. …
- Posted April 12, 2016
- Academic Programs
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Water Footprint Calculator
- GRACE Communications Foundation (NY)
Learn about the water "hidden" in food, energy and the things you buy. The Water Footprint Calculator provides a snapshot of how your daily activities and routines impact your water …
- Posted March 30, 2016
- Tools
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WaterSense at Work: Best Management Practices for Commercial and Institutional Facilities
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
WaterSense at Work is a compilation of water efficiency best management practices (BMPs) that help commercial and institutional facilities understand and better manage their water use, establish an effective water …
- Posted March 29, 2016
- Publications
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ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is an online tool you can use to measure and track energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Use it to benchmark the …
- Posted March 29, 2016
- Tools
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AWS International Water Stewardship Standard
- Alliance for Water Stewardship
The AWS International Water Stewardship Standard (AWS Standard) is an international, ISEAL-compliant, standard that defines a set of water stewardship criteria and indicators for how water should be stewarded at …
- Posted March 24, 2016
- Tools
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Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas
- World Resources Institute (DC)
Aqueduct's global water risk mapping tool helps companies, investors, governments, and other users understand where and how water risks and opportunities are emerging worldwide. The Atlas uses a robust, peer …
- Posted March 23, 2016
- Tools
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One World One Water (OWOW) Center for Urban Water Education and Stewardship
- Metropolitan State University of Denver (CO)
The One World One Water Center for Urban Water Education and Stewardship at Metropolitan State University of Denver strives to prepare an educated, empowered, solution-oriented Colorado citizenry to protect and …
- Posted March 14, 2016
- Research Centers & Institutes
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Watershed UGA; A living laboratory transforming campus and community through teaching, research and service.
- University of Georgia (GA)
This case study will introduce a new initiative at the University of Georgia, Watershed UGA, designed to engage the campus community in sustainability through campus watersheds. This transformative university-wide model …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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University of Minnesota, Twin Cities 17th Avenue Residence Hall and Dining Center Gray Water System
- TKDA (MN)
The Architect-of Record and Lead Mechanical Engineer will present an overview of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities's 17th Avenue Residence Hall and Dining Center's gray water system. The project …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Banning Bottled Water on Campus; Beyond Excuses
- Pacific Lutheran University (WA)
Over 100 colleges and universities across the US and Canada have enacted a policy of responsible water sales in their purchasing. Such a drastic change for an institution is made …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Communicating & Visualizing Sustainability: The Effects of Biomimic Marketing For Water Refill Stations on Campus, A Case Study
- Maryville College (TN)
As the field of sustainability grows, it becomes ever important to consider how sustainability is communicated, designed and visualized to aid in successful engagement, perceptions and implementation of sustainability-based programs, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Moving towards Water Sustainability on Campus: A Collaborative Approach
- Weber State University (UT)
Rising water stress in the American West demands that campuses in this region plan proactively for wiser water use. At WSU, a partnership between faculty researchers and operations staff has …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Top Three Benefits of Rainwater Harvesting Systems
- Kirksey Architecture (TX)
This presentation will focus on the benefits of large-scale rainwater collection on campuses. Our presentation and charrette will be organized around the top three direct benefits of rainwater collection: Resiliency, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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HydroCats: Water Harvesting and Community Connections in Tucson
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Like an infant born from Tucson's sustainable communities, the University of Arizona's HydroCats project has developed in less than a year from the glimmer of an idea to a rapidly …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Bottled Water Policy: The six-year journey
- Bemidji State University (MN)
- College of Saint Benedict (MN)
Years of thoughtful research, consideration, and communication with other universities went into the creation of the Bottled Water Policy created by the Bemidji State University Student Senate in 2015. The …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Stormwater Management Approaches on Campus Connect Community to Local Waterways Through Water Innovations Walking Tour
- Wilfrid Laurier University (ON)
Our proposed poster will showcase a novel approach to community partnerships and out-of-classroom learning experiences. As an official event of Canada Water Week 2015, Laurier partnered with REEP Green Solutions, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Appalachian State University/Scale Free Systems Project
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Scale Free Systems is a chemical free solution to scaling as well as corrosion and bacterial control in heat transfer equipment. The Scale Free System has been proven to prevent …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Mapstories
- University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (MN)
Mapstories, 2011, is a large, interactive, multimedia artist's book with moveable, layers of map and photo images under plastic film, mounted on a fabric-covered plywood base. Viewers/participants explore the layers …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Georgia Tech: Leading the Way to Sustainability Through Comprehensive Water Management (2015)
- Georgia Institute of Technology (GA)
- NextEra Distributed Water, Inc. (VA)
Georgia Tech has taken strides to understand and improve its water footprint. From its Stormwater Master Plan to wastewater reclamation/reuse, Georgia Tech is implementing a water management system to minimize …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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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.