| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.41 |
| Liaison | Yolanda Cieters |
| Submission Date | Feb. 22, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Seattle University
OP-27: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Phillip
Thompson Director CEJS |
Does the institution use Low Impact Development (LID) practices as a matter of policy or standard practice to reduce rainwater/stormwater runoff volume and improve outgoing water quality for new construction, major renovation, and other projects?:
A brief description of the institution’s Low Impact Development (LID) practices:
Yes, we are required by the City of Seattle and King County to manage all stormwater runoff (retention and treatment) for all new construction or renovation exceeding 5000 square feet.
Has the institution adopted a rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, or strategies that mitigate the rainwater runoff impacts of ongoing campus operations through the use of green infrastructure? :
A brief description of the institution’s rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, and/or strategies for ongoing campus operations:
There are two rain gardens, two green roofs and one rain water cistern on campus. We are required by the City of Seattle and King County to manage all stormwater runoff (retention and treatment) for all new construction or renovation exceeding 5000 square feet.
A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:
In 2013, a senior design project mapped tank ma, retrofitted law school with retention tanks that are computer-controlled to slowly release water to the City of Seattle stormwater system. This water is eventually treated at the West Point wastewater treatment plant. There is also a cistern for reusing rainwater on campus. Rain falling on the Lemieux Library's original roof flows into rain gardens on either side of the west entrance. The library's east entrance has a rain garden for water from the new library's roof and patios. About 100,000 gallons of rain are contained in the rain garden during a peak event.
Rainwater harvested directly and stored/used by the institution, performance year:
A brief description of any rainwater filtering systems employed by the institution to treat water prior to release:
The Lee Miley Rain Garden captures runoff from the roof of the Lynn building, the street and sidewalk runoff and feeds it into the rain garden south of the building that's planted with tall grasses that help absorb moisture and create an interesting meadow affect.
A more high-profile rain garden on campus is at the entrance to the McGoldrick Learning Commons addition at the Lemieux Library. This is actually a series of structures that capture roof runoff from the addition and the original building, as well as all the paving at the east and north entrances. The water wall feature, the upper pool and waterfall all use captured rainwater as their source.
There are other, more naturally formed areas on campus that serve to absorb and filter rainwater. In the corner of the Union Green, a vernal pool that grows and shrinks with the seasons creates a water source for the wildlife in this garden too.
A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:
The first green roof was built in 1989 over the Bannan biology building. Bannan's roof was planted with five feet of soil that supports many large pine trees. Built into the hillside makes the green roof accessible from the adjacent quad. The second green roof was built on the Admission & Alumni building's roof section. The alumni building lobby also has trays growing grasses in 6 inches of soil.
A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:
There is a green staircase to upper mall to north side of the Pigott building.
A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
Rain falling on the library's original roof flows into rain gardens on either side of the west entrance. The library's east entrance has a rain garden for water from the new library's roof and patios. About 100,000 gallons of rain are contained in the rain garden during a peak event. Additionally, there is a rain garden in front of Lynn that prevents basement flooding in the neighboring 4 buildings.
A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:
The Lee Miley Rain Garden captures runoff from the roof of the Lynn building, the street and sidewalk runoff and feeds it into the rain garden south of the building that's planted with tall grasses that help absorb moisture and create an interesting meadow affect.
A more high-profile rain garden on campus is at the entrance to the McGoldrick Learning Commons addition at the Lemieux Library. This is actually a series of structures that capture roof runoff from the addition and the original building, as well as all the paving at the east and north entrances. The water wall feature, the upper pool and waterfall all use captured rainwater as their source.
There are other, more naturally formed areas on campus that serve to absorb and filter rainwater. In the corner of the Union Green, a vernal pool that grows and shrinks with the seasons creates a water source for the wildlife in this garden too.
A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:
Please refer to answers above.
A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):
There are rain gardens but no bioswales.
A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:
The website URL where information about the institution’s rainwater management initiatives, plan or policy is available:
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.