| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.20 |
| Liaison | Olivia Shehan |
| Submission Date | Dec. 24, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Wellesley College
OP-27: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Patrick
Willoughby Sustainability Director Facilities |
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:
Low impact development and storm water control is a priority for the college especially since local, state and federal laws dictate proper management. Further, the college is located within a stressed water basin and maintains its own potable water system drawing from our own wells located on campus.
http://www.wellesley.edu/safety/stormwater
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 campus has several large storm water interceptors and multiple sedimentation bays, including the Cattail Marsh, for high storm events. Most storm water is treated before it enters Lake Waban by removing sediments and oils. Where feasible we also put this into vegetated swales and retention basins. These are preferred by the college since they not only trap sediments and oils but also limit the amount of phosphorus entering adjacent waterways. Where vegetated swales are not feasible the college utilizes “vortechnic” type mechanisms. We incorporate bell hoods in catch basins in sensitive areas to capture oils and fuels. Where feasible we reduce impervious surfaces which would include reducing paved areas, incorporation of green roofs, and efficient management of stormwater run-off. We have removed over 5.7 acres of asphalt over the past 10 years. Lastly, we implement storm water best practices management (BMPs) for new and renovation projects. Storm water management is extremely important to the college because we are in the Charles River watershed.
A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:
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:
Our Vortechs stormwater treatment units use hydrodynamic separation to cleanse stormwater of oil and contaminants to maintain the health of nearby ponds and streams. In the recent past and where feasible in the future the storm water is "daylighted" and passes through vegetated swales to not only remove sediments and oils but also phosphorus which is detrimental to down stream waterways.
A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:
The college maintains three green roofs on the Campus Center 4th Floor, Alumnae Hall, Parking Garage Lower Level, the water treatment facility, the number 6 oil vault/tanks, above a large transformer vault at the Central Utility Plant, and construction on Pendleton West is also underway, which includes plans for a large vegetated rooftop.
A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:
N/A
A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
Most smaller building on campus are not connected to the stormwater management system and they daylight into the landscape.
A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:
N/A
A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:
We have several natural and man-made stormwater retention areas on campus. Retention ponds in many areas have been designed to become a landscape feature and are referred to at the college as "fore bays". This combined with vegetated swales vastly improve storm water quality before entering the lake. More recently we have opted to daylight stormwater into the landscape.
A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):
Stormwater passes through a daylight vegetated swale in Alumnae Valley, which helps to cleanse stormwater from a large portion of campus before it reaching Lake Waban.
A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:
Where vegetated swales are not feasible the college utilizes “vortechnic” type mechanisms that separates oil and sediments. We also incorporate deep sump catch basins with bell hoods in or near sensitive areas to capture sediments, oils and fuels.
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.