Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.78
Liaison Amber Saxton
Submission Date Sept. 1, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

George Mason University
OP-22: Water Use

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 5.00 / 5.00 Mary Liang
Sustainability Analyst
Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Level of ”Physical Risk QUANTITY” for the institution’s main campus as indicated by the World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas:
Medium to High

Total water use (potable and non-potable combined):
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total water use --- 133,082,000 Gallons

Potable water use:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Potable water use 101,852,000 Gallons 133,082,000 Gallons

Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year July 1, 2015 June 30, 2016
Baseline Year July 1, 2004 June 30, 2005

A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:

The 2005 water baseline was adopted based on its relation to the energy performance contracts completed by Siemens. The baseline is before the energy contracts were implemented.


Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of students resident on-site 6,216 3,840
Number of employees resident on-site 77 0
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds 25 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 28,019 21,950
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) 4,321.40 2,997.40
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 816 0
Weighted campus users 25,241.55 19,670.55

Potable water use per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Potable water use per weighted campus user 4,035.09 Gallons 6,765.55 Gallons

Percentage reduction in potable water use per weighted campus user from baseline:
40.36

Gross floor area of building space:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Gross floor area 8,994,238 Gross square feet 5,015,746 Gross square feet

Potable water use per unit of floor area:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Potable water use per unit of floor area 11.32 Gallons per square foot 26.53 Gallons per square foot

Percentage reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area from baseline:
57.32

Does the institution wish to pursue Part 3 of this credit? (reductions in total water use per acre/hectare of vegetated grounds):
Yes

Area of vegetated grounds:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Vegetated grounds 357.72 Acres 255 Acres

Total water use (potable + non-potable) per unit of vegetated grounds:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total water use per unit of vegetated grounds 0 Gallons per acre 521,890.20 Gallons per acre

Percentage reduction in total water use per unit of vegetated grounds from baseline:
---

A brief description of the institution's water-related behavior change initiatives, e.g. initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices such as signage and competitions:

In fiscal year 2016, George Mason University piloted a energy and water reduction campaign within Housing and Residence Life that included reminder prompts to turn off lights, set thermostats, and take shorter showers


A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:

Water recovery and reuse systems are limited due to concerns of local governing
authorities in certain locations and situations. George Mason University's Child Development Center Garden has an irrigation system from Water Management, Inc. The irrigation system utilizes rainwater to water the garden.


A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives (e.g. building retrofits):

Since 2005, Mason has initiated two energy savings performance contracts where heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment were upgraded along with lighting and water fixtures. Mason also follows Virginia state policy which states that all new buildings should be built to LEED Silver or equivalent. George Mason University's Design Information Manual also prioritizes water saving infrastructure when constructing new buildings.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Data is for FY16.


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.