| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 49.76 |
| Liaison | Aurora Sharrard |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Pittsburgh
OP-23: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Richard
Heller Senior Electrical Engineer Facilities Management |
Which of the following best describes the institution’s approach to rainwater management?:
A brief description of the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices:
The University tasks design professionals with developing storm water management plans for all major construction projects. Selected results from these plans include green vegetative roofs, rain gardens, and bioswales. Several rain gardens have been constructed to help absorb the flow of excess stormwater on University property, and the use of low maintenance groundcover has been expanded across campus to reduce erosion and runoff. All development projects comply with Allegheny Conservation District and Pittsburgh Water And Sewer Authority requirements for stormwater management.
A copy of the institution’s rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines:
A brief description of the institution’s rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines that supports the responses above:
The University has been expanding the use of green vegetative roofs (currently 9 existing roof areas and two in design), and continues to evaluate roofs for additional opportunities, particularly when roofs are slated for replacement. Several rain gardens exist on campus, and the University is evaluating possibilities for additional installations. Pitt's largest rain garden was constructed in 2016, and serves as a drainage location for the iconic Cathedral of Learning lawn. The lawn was recently reconstructed, and special drainage features were designed to drain excess rainwater into the new rain garden. Many trees have been planted in recent years, and former problem areas have been planted with groundcover to reduce erosion and stormwater runoff. Pitt's first bioswale installation was recently completed with a newly constructed building, and several large areas of concrete have been replaced with green space. The University's new Sustainable Landscape Guidelines include recommendations for reducing hardscape and installing more rain gardens and permeable surfaces to help reduce the University's impact on Pittsburgh's aging storm water systems.
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Please see pages 16 and 17 of the University of Pittsburgh 2013 Report on Sustainability: http://sustainable.pitt.edu/node/1206
Please see pages 16 and 17 of the University of Pittsburgh 2013 Report on Sustainability: http://sustainable.pitt.edu/node/1206
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.