Northern Arizona University
OP-21: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
6.00 / 6.00 |
Dayna
McKay Data Analyst Office of Sustainability |
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 | 158,770,100 Gallons | 267,356,440 Gallons |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 135,039,810 Gallons | 244,797,540 Gallons |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | July 1, 2022 | June 30, 2023 |
| Baseline Period | June 1, 2005 | July 30, 2006 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
2005 was the year we have used in past reports. However, FY06 was used as the first year with reclaimed water on campus. The number was received from Utility Services tracking.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 9,685 | 6,053 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 36 | 15 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 16 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 28,093 | 12,523 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 3,247 | 2,202 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 4,081 | 4,104 |
| Weighted campus users | 22,890.50 | 9,482.75 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 5,899.38 Gallons | 25,815.04 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 | 7,051,851 Gross square feet | 4,498,861 Gross square feet |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 19.15 Gallons per square foot | 54.41 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 | 405 Acres | 380 Acres |
Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds | 392,024.94 Gallons per acre | 703,569.58 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:
Every water bottle refill station has an education sign on it designed by students.
Strive for five shower campaign: educational stickers are located in every dormitory shower on campus.
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
Most of the campus water fixtures were changed out in 2012. Low-flow toilets, shower heads, and aerators were installed and are now our campus standard. Utilities and Office of Sustainability workers have completed water audits of our leased properties in the summer of 2023, to address American Campus Community leased properties that are located on the NAU campus.
We are also in the early stages of experimenting with widespread turf grass replacement. So far, we have installed CALSENSE sensors across campus to eliminate overwatering, as these sensors measure the moisture content of the turf grass, and adjust the watering schedule accordingly. We have also replaced one of our natural turf fields with a synthetic one.
The Green Fund, in collaboration with our landscape architect, Janel Wilcox, funded a project to determine the most efficient, and environmentally safe method of turf grass removal. They are testing three different plots of grass over fiscal year 2023. One plot of grass will be smothered, the other ripped out, and the third will have a one-time chemical application of glyphosate (although this method is the least desirable).
We have also adopted the City of Flagstaff's Low Impact Development (LID)standards.
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 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.