| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.41 |
| Liaison | Krista Bailey |
| Submission Date | Dec. 12, 2023 |
Pennsylvania State University
IN-24: Natural Wastewater Systems
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.50 / 0.50 |
Krista
Bailey Sustainable Campus Strategist Sustainability Institute |
Estimated percentage of the institution’s wastewater treated and managed on-site using natural wastewater systems:
A brief description of the institution’s natural wastewater systems and technologies:
The Penn State Water Reclamation Facility is designed to treat up to 3 million gallons per day and utilizes grit removal, screening, primary clarification, activated sludge with biological nutrient removal, secondary clarification and chlorine disinfection. Penn State's wastewater system is unique in that there is zero discharge to a stream. Since 1983, Penn State has been recycling all of its treated effluent through a land application system known as the Living Filter. This process replenishes the regional groundwater by spray irrigating all effluent. 100% of the treated wastewater effluent is applied to the Living Filter system, which provides for onsite infiltration and recharge of the aquifer.
Website URL where information about the natural wastewater systems 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.