Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 40.54
Liaison Rebecca Quesnell
Submission Date Dec. 18, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Roosevelt University
OP-26: Water Use

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.07 / 5.00 Rebecca Quesnell
Sustainable Operations Coordinator
Physical Resources
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Level of water risk for the institution’s main campus:
High

Total water use (potable and non-potable combined)::
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total water use 8,086,000 Gallons 8,095,000 Gallons

Potable water use::
Performance Year Baseline Year
Potable water use 8,086,000 Gallons 8,095,000 Gallons

Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users"::
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of residential students 610 626
Number of residential employees 0 0
Number of in-patient hospital beds 0 0
Full-time equivalent enrollment 4,814 4,724
Full-time equivalent of employees 848 876
Full-time equivalent of distance education students 142 134

Gross floor area of building space::
Performance Year Baseline Year
Gross floor area 1,265,893 Square feet 1,265,893 Square feet

Area of vegetated grounds::
Performance Year Baseline Year
Vegetated grounds 13 Acres 13 Acres

Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year Jan. 1, 2014 Dec. 31, 2014
Baseline Year Jan. 1, 2013 Dec. 31, 2013

A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:

We used a 2013 baseline for the purposes of this credit because we needed to compare it to a performance year--as of now, 2015 water-related invoices are not all in, so 2014 was the most recent performance year we could use (via going by calendar year). Usage details prior to 2013 are a bit harder to get a hold and we wanted to be accurate with our comparisons.


Water recycled/reused on campus, performance year:
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Recycled/reused water withdrawn from off-campus sources, performance year:
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A brief description of any water recovery and reuse systems employed by the institution:

Our Wabash Dining Center utilizes a SOMAT pulper machine that reuses water throughout the day. New water only has to be put in 1-2 times daily.


A brief description of any water metering and management systems employed by the institution:

Aerators, low-flow pumping and plumbing fixtures, Energy Star rated rinse technology in cafeteria kitchen. We are metering our water usage and looking to get a credit this year from the water Reclamation District for the evaporator cooling that is utilized as part of the buildings HVAC systems. We are also doing a pilot run of sub-metering for a water meter connected to one of our data centers. The dining center also uses a SOMAT pulper machine that reuses water throughout the day and only needs new water 1-3 times daily.


A brief description of any building retrofit practices employed by the institution, e.g. to install high efficiency plumbing fixtures and fittings:

The Department of Biological, Chemical and Physical Sciences and College of Pharmacy replaced wasteful and polluting distillation systems with Millipore water purification systems eliminating harmful chemicals in water and saving energy. Physical Resources is putting together a Capital plan to replace HVAC units that were once Grandfathered in/are beyond their life expectancy--this will help to reduce water and energy costs in the future.


A brief description of any policies or programs employed by the institution to replace appliances, equipment and systems with water-efficient alternatives:

While more of a reactive program compared to a proactive program, we do replace appliances, equipment, and systems with water efficient alternatives when the equipment is out of date and/or in need of replacement. In such cases, we buy water-saving aerators, flush valves, toilets, sinks, faucets, lab faucets, and shower heads. Currently, we are in the process of installing 10 SER rated high efficiency motors, water circulation pumps, and VFD drive motors that run the pumps (in this case, the running of the pumps would be based on static pressure versus constantly running).


A brief description of any water-efficient landscape design practices employed by the institution (e.g. xeriscaping):

Large prairie restoration project. Converted much of the landscape from turf grass into prairie and wetlands landscape with a detention basin. Bioswale with rain garden at the bottom. Also a select area of permeable pavement.


A brief description of any weather-informed irrigation technologies employed by the institution:

Sprinkler system goes on only when necessary--has a rain sensor to avoid watering if there has been rain within 24 hours.


A brief description of other water conservation and efficiency strategies employed by the institution:

Low Flow Fixtures--water usage is minimized in the Wabash Building and Goodman Center and we have also changed many fixtures in Auditorium Building and Auditorium Theater to use less water.


The website URL where information about the institution’s water conservation and efficiency initiatives is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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