| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.07 |
| Liaison | Andrew Horning |
| Submission Date | June 30, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Michigan
OP-27: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Kenneth
Keeler Senior Sustainability Rep Office of Campus Sustainability |
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:
Site Sustainability is a broad topic that addresses specific local and regional environmental issues related to buildings, landscape, hardscape, and exterior building and site issues. Sustainable site practices at U-M include eliminating mowing in perimeter areas, utilizing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, removing invasive species from campus wood lots, employing alternative snow removal techniques, and administering a stormwater management and pollution prevention program. In an effort to enhance existing sustainable site practices, design guidelines have been revised and developed to coordinate with existing regulations and to recommend site specific strategies and Best Management Practices (BMPs). The design guidelines include recommendations regarding limiting paving, utilizing porous paving materials, an enhanced storm water management program, and information to assist in the selection of sustainable site materials. Also, additional guidelines for landscaping will be established which will focus on drought tolerant vegetation, native and non-invasive species, and enhanced IPM techniques.
Examples of low impact development include:
The C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital:
A vegetative roof to reduce storm water run-off, reduce heat island effect, and create a natural habitat.
Storm water infrastructure (collection) and management to minimize run-off and avoid impact to neighboring Nichols Arboretum.
Landscape Plan uses native plants and plant varieties acclimated to the Ann Arbor climate zone. http://www.umaec.umich.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/MottSustain.pdf
The Wall St East Parking Structure project:
Porous pavements installed to reduce storm water runoff.
Storm water will be mechanically and environmentally cleaned on-site prior to discharge.
A large rain garden will be constructed in the east front yard of the parking structure to collect surface
storm water runoff and to maximize on-site infiltration. Replenishing ground water on-site minimizes
the potential for downstream flooding.
Native and adapted plant materials that minimize the need for irrigation will be planted.
http://www.umaec.umich.edu/ProjectSustainability/sustainabilityP00006281.pdf
The East Quadrangle Dormitory renovation included replacement of non-porous material with porous pavement.
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:
The Stormwater Management Program Plan (SWMPP) is prepared as a requirement of the University’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Discharge Permit. This permit is issued to the University of Michigan (UM) by the Michigan Department Environmental Quality (MDEQ). Our SWMPP describes measures, procedures and practices that UM will utilize to minimize the discharge of pollutants from campus into the stormwater drainage systems and adjacent receiving waters. U-M employees several Best Management Practices (BMP) designed to reduce storm water impact on the Huron River. Examples of BMPs include bioretention systems (i.e. raingardens), constructed wetlands, detention and retention basins, swales, green roofs, hydrodynamic separators and swirl concentrators, infiltration devices, level spreaders. And permeable and porous pavement.
A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:
NA
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:
Porous (i.e. permeable) paving: There are several permeable pavement systems on campus including permeable asphalt, permeable pavement, and permeable pavers. Typically, a top layer of coarse material (permeable concrete, asphalt, or pavers) is laid over top of a crushed stone mix to allow for maximum infiltration of stormwater runoff.
Rain gardens: Bioretention (i.e. raingardens)systems are depressed areas that capture and treat runoff. Most often bioretention includes a gravel layer surrounding an underdrain, a sandy media mix layer atop the gravel to encourage infiltration, vegetation to further increase infiltration and pollutant removal, and a mulch layer to keep in moisture and to prevent internal erosion. Space is left between the underdrain and the bottom of the bioretention basin to promote further storage and thus infiltration. There are several bioretention systems on campus. A great example is found right outside of the Dana Building on Central Campus
Stone or vegetated swales: Grassed or vegetated swales are engineered ditches that promote infiltration while conveying stormwater runoff. These systems can be very simple ditches or very complex vegetated systems. A more complex vegetated swale that contains rock check-dam structures can be seen at the University of Michigan Arboretum.
A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:
Green roofs are engineered systems that incorporate special media and vegetation to maximize infiltration and evapotranspiration on rooftops. Most often, a green roof consists of an impermeable layer over a rooftop (to prevent leaks and structural damage), a drainage layer, a growing media layer, and a vegetation layer. The vegetation must be carefully selected for the local climate and must be able to endure various temperature extremes. Also, when selecting plants, remember that irrigation is discouraged and fertilization is a big no-no! Fertilizers, on or near a BMP, defeat the whole purpose of having the BMP.
Green roof systems can be found on the Ross Business School, the Kresge Business Library, and the Mott Children’s Hospital and Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital.
A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:
here are several permeable pavement systems on campus including permeable asphalt, permeable pavement, and permeable pavers. Typically, a top layer of coarse material (permeable concrete, asphalt, or pavers) is laid over top of a crushed stone mix to allow for maximum infiltration of stormwater runoff.
A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:
Bioretention (i.e. raingardens)systems are depressed areas that capture and treat runoff. Most often bioretention includes a gravel layer surrounding an underdrain, a sandy media mix layer atop the gravel to encourage infiltration, vegetation to further increase infiltration and pollutant removal, and a mulch layer to keep in moisture and to prevent internal erosion. Space is left between the underdrain and the bottom of the bioretention basin to promote further storage and thus infiltration. There are several bioretention systems on campus. A great example is found right outside of the Dana Building on Central Campus
A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:
A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):
Grassed or vegetated swales are engineered ditches that promote infiltration while conveying stormwater runoff. These systems can be very simple ditches or very complex vegetated systems. A more complex vegetated swale that contains rock check-dam structures can be seen at the University of Michigan Arboretum.
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.