| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.23 |
| Liaison | Merry Rankin |
| Submission Date | Sept. 1, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Iowa State University
OP-23: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Clay
Miller Environmental Programs Manager Environmental Health and Safety |
Which of the following best describes the institution’s approach to rainwater management?:
A brief description of the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices:
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was established under the authority of the Clean Water Act in 1972. The NPDES program is responsible for controlling and regulating point sources of discharge of pollutants to waters within each state to maintain, protect and restore water quality of streams, lakes and rivers. In 1990, Phase I of NPDES storm water program was established to regulate storm water runoff. In 1999, Phase II of the NPDES storm water program was established and required communities that were not part of the Phase I to develop and implement a comprehensive storm water management program. Those communities that were included in Phase II of the program were designated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4).
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has designated Iowa State University as a qualifying MS4, which requires the university to comply with the Phase II storm water regulations. Iowa State has a storm water policy which guides both construction site runoff control and post construction site runoff control. The intent of the policy is to control storm water runoff, minimize storm water pollution and contribute to the protection of Iowa’s natural resources. The university design standards serve as a resource.
ISU has storm sewer facilities that serve the buildings and property of the University for storm water drainage and runoff management. Storm water runoff from different areas of the university is conveyed to five creeks or the City of Ames storm sewer systems and eventually into the Skunk River.
The university has an interdisciplinary committee that meets regularly to review storm water initiatives.
The University evaluates new construction for best practices that match the conditions of the site and project. Operational strategies and best practices are considered and implemented as part of the MS4 permit.
The University has implemented several stream bank stabilization techniques on College Creek including armoring, riffles and cross veins to improve and maintain a healthy waterway. Low Impact Development techniques such as rain gardens, sand filter, storm water intake restrictions have also been applied. ISU has also collected and repurposed site storm water for reuse in buildings on two projects, Hach Chemistry Building and Biorenewables Laboratory. Native plantings are another strategy used in combination with others mentioned. Music Hall roof drains have been captured and re-routed to remove the water from the storm sewer and provide the lake with an alternative water source.
A copy of the institution’s rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines:
A brief description of the institution’s rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines that supports the responses above:
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) was established under the authority of the Clean Water Act in 1972. The NPDES program is responsible for controlling and regulating point sources of discharge of pollutants to waters within each state to maintain, protect and restore water quality of streams, lakes and rivers. In 1990, Phase I of NPDES storm water program was established to regulate storm water runoff. In 1999, Phase II of the NPDES storm water program was established and required communities that were not part of the Phase I to develop and implement a comprehensive storm water management program. Those communities that were included in Phase II of the program were designated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4).
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has designated Iowa State University as a qualifying MS4, which requires the university to comply with the Phase II storm water regulations. Iowa State has a storm water policy which guides both construction site runoff control and post construction site runoff control. The intent of the policy is to control storm water runoff, minimize storm water pollution and contribute to the protection of Iowa’s natural resources. The university design standards serve as a resource.
ISU has storm sewer facilities that serve the buildings and property of the University for storm water drainage and runoff management. Storm water runoff from different areas of the university is conveyed to five creeks or the City of Ames storm sewer systems and eventually into the Skunk River.
The university has an interdisciplinary committee that meets regularly to review storm water initiatives.
The University evaluates new construction for best practices that match the conditions of the site and project. Operational strategies and best practices are considered and implemented as part of the MS4 permit.
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:
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.