| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.79 |
| Liaison | Megan Litke |
| Submission Date | March 6, 2020 |
American University
OP-22: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Courtney
Stoner Sustainability Analyst Office of Sustainability |
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:
1. Two bioretention ponds at the School of International Service (SIS) collect and slow stormwater runoff on either side of the building before filtering it and ultimately allowing excess water to enter the stormwater system through a Bay Saver.
2. Green roofs on nine buildings on campus.
3. A rain garden in front of the Kogod Building captures run-off rain water and uses a Bay Saver. A rain garden outside of the Centennial Parking garage captures runoff. Parking has been removed between Clark and Roper Halls and replaced with rain gardens. There is also a rain garden behind McKinley.
4. Permeable pavement is installed in on walkways on main campus near Kay Spiritual Center and McCabe Hall.
5. Cisterns in Cassell and on East Campus are used to collect water for irrigation.
6. Campus is home to over 3,700 trees and all 84 acres of campus is a certified Arboretum.
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 uses a variety of strategies to deal with rainwater on campus. The university has rain gardens, cisterns, and bioretention ponds in place to help manage rainwater. Additionally, the university attempts to reduce impermeable hardscape altogether and use pervious pavers when possible.
American University is committed to responsibility manager stormwater onsite in support of DC's and the Chesapeake Bay region goals.
DC Stormwater Regulation requires new construction to install runoff-reducing green infrastructure for all major new construction and land-disturbing renovation projects.
As per the Design and Construction Standards-
"Storm water Control: Comply with requirements of authorities having jurisdiction.
Provide barriers in and around excavations and subgrade construction to prevent
flooding by runoff of storm water from heavy rains."
https://www.american.edu/finance/facilities/upload/01-50-00-temporary-facilities-and-controls.pdf
Website URL where information about the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
AU Design and Construction Standards: https://www.american.edu/finance/facilities/upload/au-design-standards-2019.pdf
DC Stormwater Regulations: https://doee.dc.gov/service/offv
AU Design and Construction Standards: https://www.american.edu/finance/facilities/upload/au-design-standards-2019.pdf
DC Stormwater Regulations: https://doee.dc.gov/service/offv
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.