| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.35 |
| Liaison | Delicia Nahman |
| Submission Date | Sept. 12, 2023 |
Lafayette College
OP-21: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.52 / 4.00 |
Scott
Kennedy Director of Facilities Operations Finance & Administrative |
Level of ”Physical Risk Quantity” for the institution’s main campus as indicated by the World Resources Institute Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas:
Total water withdrawal (potable and non-potable combined):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal | 39,369,794 Gallons | 39,289,148 Gallons |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 39,369,794 Gallons | 39,289,148 Gallons |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | July 1, 2020 | June 30, 2021 |
| Baseline Period | July 1, 2007 | June 30, 2008 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
The baseline year was selected to be consistent with the baseline for reporting greenhouse gas emissions.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 2,542 | 2,139 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 54 | 10 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 5 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 2,712 | 2,483 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 836 | 750 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 3,315 | 2,962 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 11,876.26 Gallons | 13,264.40 Gallons |
Percentage reduction in potable water use per weighted campus user from baseline:
Gross floor area of building space:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross floor area | 2,283,897 Gross square feet | 1,735,959 Gross square feet |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 17.24 Gallons per square foot | 22.63 Gallons per square foot |
Percentage reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area from baseline:
Area of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Vegetated grounds | 330 Acres | 330 Acres |
Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds | 119,302.41 Gallons per acre | 119,058.02 Gallons per acre |
Percentage reduction in total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds from baseline:
A brief description of the institution's water-related behavior change initiatives:
Lafayette has implemented several water-related behavior change initiatives in the past couple years. LEAP placed small signs with song lyrics about water and "turn off when not in use" language around public bathroom faucets.
During the Spring of 2019, the Student Government Sustainability Committee campaigned for shorter showers in the Residence Halls by placing signs with facts on water use and limiting showers to 2-3 songs (as many students have expressed that they listed to music in the shower). The Committee also made fun shower playlists with sustainability related songs to encourage mindful water use.
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
Lafayette employees a rainwater collection system on the roof of an operations building to feed into the irrigation of our 3 acre organic farm.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
Low-flow shower heads, sinks, aerators, and toilets are the standard when renovating bathroom.
Preventive maintenance is conducted on steam traps and steam lines are monitored for leaks and replaced when discovered.
Preference is given to native drought resistant plant species to reduce the necessity of irrigation.
Website URL where information about the institution’s water conservation and efficiency efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The data in this credit reflects 2020-2021 information, both in consumption and in campus users. This is because the 2022-2023 data was not accessible in a way that could be consistently measured against our baseline.
The data in this credit reflects 2020-2021 information, both in consumption and in campus users. This is because the 2022-2023 data was not accessible in a way that could be consistently measured against our baseline.
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.