| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.69 |
| Liaison | John Pumilio |
| Submission Date | July 23, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Colgate University
OP-27: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
John
Pumilio Director of Sustainability Sustainability Office |
Does the institution use Low Impact Development (LID) practices as a matter of policy or standard practice to reduce rainwater/stormwater runoff volume and improve outgoing water quality for new construction, major renovation, and other projects?:
A brief description of the institution’s Low Impact Development (LID) practices:
All new construction projects utilize retention ponds and porous surfaces in parking areas.
Has the institution adopted a rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, or strategies that mitigate the rainwater runoff impacts of ongoing campus operations through the use of green infrastructure? :
A brief description of the institution’s rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, and/or strategies for ongoing campus operations:
Colgate University's Board of Trustees recently approved our updated Campus Strategic and Master Plans. Both plans fully incorporate principles of sustainability with special attention to rainwater management and restoration of our natural watershed. In particular, the Campus Master Plan will: 1) remove acres of mowed lawn and replace that with a functional arboretum and native vegetation that reduces runoff and provides ecological habitat and services, and 2) separate Payne Creek from Taylor Lake (water systems located in the heart of campus) in an effort to restore the natural watershed, improve water quality, and use the lake as a storm-water basin. Colgate's 2013 Campus Master Plan represents a committed mix of climate mitigation and adaptation strategies. Both plans elevate sustainability as a core institutional strategy at Colgate in the years ahead. Here is a link to our Strategic Plan webpage: http://www.colgate.edu/about/past-present-and-future/strategic-planning
A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:
Rainwater harvested directly and stored/used by the institution, performance year:
A brief description of any rainwater filtering systems employed by the institution to treat water prior to release:
A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:
A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:
We implemented porous paving in the parking area of our new fitness center.
A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:
A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:
We constructed a retention pond as part of our new fitness center.
A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):
A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:
We are adding 30 acres to our "no mow" portfolio to reduce runoff into Taylor Lake and to avoid labor costs and emissions associated with mowing. Additionally, our Campus Master Plan is dedicated to restoring our watershed by separating Taylor Lake from Payne Creek and planting native vegetation and reducing runoff of paved surfaces.
The website URL where information about the institution’s rainwater management initiatives, plan or policy is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.