American University
OP-28: Wastewater Management

Institution’s wastewater is handled naturally on campus or in the local community. Natural wastewater systems include, but are not limited to, constructed treatment wetlands and Living Machines. To count, wastewater must be treated to secondary or tertiary standards prior to release to water bodies.

This credit recognizes natural handling of the water discharged by the institution. On-site recycling/reuse of greywater and/or blackwater is recognized in OP 26: Water Use. 

This credit applies to all institutions.

Institutions earn the maximum of 1 point available for this credit by handling 100 percent of discharged wastewater using natural wastewater systems. Incremental points are awarded based on the percentage of wastewater handled naturally. For example, an institution that naturally handles 50 percent of its wastewater would earn 0.5 points (half of the points available for this credit). 

See scoring table in the STARS Technical Manual.

Timeframe

Report the most recent annual data available.

Sampling and Data Standards

To the extent possible, include all wastewater discharged by the institution when reporting for this credit; reporting on a sample or subset of wastewater is not allowed. 

The total volume of wastewater may be obtained from water utilities and/or on-site metering. Institutions without access to metered or utility-provided data may estimate the total volume of wastewater as recommended by local utilities or by subtracting any known volume of water consumed on campus (e.g. in processes and irrigation) from the total volume of water (potable and non-potable) withdrawn from all sources for campus use. Likewise, the volume of wastewater handled naturally may be obtained from water utilities and/or on-site metering; estimates may be used in the absence of metered or utility-provided data.