| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.63 |
| Liaison | Karen Oberer |
| Submission Date | Aug. 22, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
McGill University
OP-22: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.29 / 4.00 |
Level of ”Physical Risk QUANTITY” for the institution’s main campus as indicated by the World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas:
Total water use (potable and non-potable combined):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water use | 1,732,000 Cubic meters | 1,800,000 Cubic meters |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 1,732,000 Cubic meters | 1,800,000 Cubic meters |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | May 1, 2015 | April 30, 2016 |
| Baseline Year | Jan. 1, 2014 | Dec. 31, 2014 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
The water use baseline was adopted in 2014 when the Ministry of Education required all postsecondary institutions to establish a water use baseline.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 3,260 | 3,122 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 15 | 15 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 32,225.60 | 31,755 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) | 6,750 | 6,979 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 32 | 32 |
| Weighted campus users | 30,026.45 | 29,810.75 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 1,732,000 Cubic meters | 1,800,000 Cubic meters |
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 | 876,704 Gross square meters | 891,994 Gross square meters |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 48.49 Cubic meters per square meter | 49.53 Cubic meters per square meter |
Percentage reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area from baseline:
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 3 of this credit? (reductions in total water use per acre/hectare of vegetated grounds):
Area of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Vegetated grounds | 1 Hectares | 1 Hectares |
Total water use (potable + non-potable) per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water use per unit of vegetated grounds | 185,162,580.31 Cubic meters per hectare | 192,432,242.81 Cubic meters per hectare |
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:
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
The new Life Sciences Complex is taking advantage of rainwater harvesting and grey water technologies to divert roof water and other clean water waste (e.g. from the ventilation system) into a 50,000 L cistern. As much as possible, it is this diverted water that is then used to flush the toilets and urinals in the buildings. This reduces the amount of clean drinking water being used. It also reduces the amount of storm water running off the roof, entering the sewer system, and needing to be treated at Montreal’s wastewater treatment plant.
The Life Sciences Complex also has a green roof on the top of the Goodman Cancer Research wing, as does the Macdonald Engineering building. Instead of a traditional roof covering such as shingles or tar and gravel, a large section of the roof is divided into raised beds containing plants. These plants are either self-seeding annuals or perennials such as sedum, chives, iris, blue fescue, and others. Green rooftops help to absorb rain and melt water so that less water is running off the roof, entering the sewer system, and needing to be treated at the city’s wastewater treatment station. Green rooftops also absorb less heat than a traditional roof, reducing the amount of energy needed to cool a building throughout the summer.
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):
The university has been busy installing low-flow toilets and showerheads, as well as automatic faucets in many of the bathrooms on the downtown campus. Low-flow showerheads have also been installed in the residences, which has decreased water usage by an estimated 58,000 L per day. The university is making such water-saving fixtures standard in renovations and new construction. The university has also experimented with waterless urinals. McGill's construction and renovation standards for water-consuming equipment is more stringent than LEED requirements.
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:
2016 FTE's taken from http://www.mcgill.ca/provost/files/provost/doc_university_budgetbook_2015_2016_v20150709gj.pdf
The reporting period for this credit ends in 2016, hence the difference in FTEs between this credit and IC 3.
2016 FTE's taken from http://www.mcgill.ca/provost/files/provost/doc_university_budgetbook_2015_2016_v20150709gj.pdf
The reporting period for this credit ends in 2016, hence the difference in FTEs between this credit and IC 3.
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.