| Overall Rating | Bronze - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 40.74 |
| Liaison | Pat Van Duyne |
| Submission Date | June 11, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Joliet Junior College
IN-2: Innovation 2
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Richard
Rivera Assistant Director Facility Services/Roads & Grounds |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Joliet Junior College employed a rainwater harvesting system associated with the construction of their new greenhouse facility in 2009. The system was designed to capture rainwater runoff from the roof of the facility, direct it to an underground cistern on the exterior of the building. The water is then pumped back into the irrigation system as the main source of water.
The rainwater harvesting system has a dual impact on the campus, as it significantly reduces the demand of potable water required to irrigate the vegetation and reduces the storm water runoff into the storm water detention. The rainwater harvesting system is a demonstration of innovation, but was only part of the system that earned the LEED Certified level for new buildings. Further, Joliet Junior College’s Greenhouse was one of three known greenhouses in the United States to have achieved the LEED Certification at the time of its opening.
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
The impact to the irrigation demand on potable water obviously varies with the amount of rainfall over any particular period of time. The range of rainfall in Northern Illinois is 23.9 inches for the low and 46.9 inches for the high. The average is 37.1 inches. Over the surface of the roof it can be calculated that the rainwater harvesting collects between 128,800 gallons to 252,700 gallons on an annual basis. This reduces direct costs to JJC and overall demand on the aquafers.
The second impact of the reduction to the stormwater runoff eliminates the impervious area within the watershed. This effectively eliminates 0.198 acres of tributary area from producing runoff discharging to the system. This is a very small portion of the watershed, however does provide a cumulative impact on the system.
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | --- |
| Research | --- |
| Campus Engagement | Yes |
| Public Engagement | --- |
| Air & Climate | --- |
| Buildings | Yes |
| Dining Services | --- |
| Energy | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes |
| Purchasing | --- |
| Transportation | --- |
| Waste | --- |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | --- |
| Investment | --- |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation 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.