| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.38 |
| Liaison | Laurie Husted |
| Submission Date | June 12, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Bard College
IN-2: Innovation 2
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 1.00 |
Dan
Smith Energy Efficiency Coordinator Office of Sustainability |
Title or keywords related to the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
As part of Bard’s “Take Back the Tap” initiative, in the past year Bard has systematically removed all of its carboy-based water cooler units (which relied on scheduled delivery trucks and personnel to continually supply and remove carboys) and replaced with in-line filtration water cooler units. Occupying the same spaces as the old water coolers, and the new units tap into a nearby water supply line (e.g. under a kitchenette sink), in order to better utilize the campus’ own local water source and on-site mass filtration facility. Overcoming the inconsistencies of campus tap-water taste (though filtered and safe, water passing through any pipe system can pick up minerals and tastes) the added “point of use” filtration helps to ensure drinking water across has the same high-quality, clean taste.
Additional direct benefits include:
- Removing loud, idling delivery diesel trucks and smelly exhaust fumes from campus causeways
- Eliminate the need to transport water from a non-local source to campus, a non-sustainable practice and possible environmental justice issue
- Improving aesthetics and space management by eliminating need to store large quantities of plastic carboys (4-6+ per dispenser location), which encroached nearby corridors and rooms
- Eliminate the supply and service inconsistencies inherent in a delivery-based system and greatly simplify purchasing and maintenance needs.
- Avoid inevitable spillage from replacing carboys
A brief description of any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation (if not reported above):
A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise:
Which of the following STARS subcategories does the innovation most closely relate to? (Select all that apply up to a maximum of five):
| Yes or No | |
| Curriculum | --- |
| Research | --- |
| Campus Engagement | --- |
| Public Engagement | --- |
| Air & Climate | Yes |
| Buildings | --- |
| Dining Services | --- |
| Energy | --- |
| Grounds | --- |
| Purchasing | Yes |
| Transportation | --- |
| Waste | --- |
| Water | Yes |
| Coordination, Planning & Governance | --- |
| Diversity & Affordability | --- |
| Health, Wellbeing & Work | Yes |
| Investment | --- |
Other topic(s) that the innovation relates to that are not listed above:
The website URL where information about the innovation 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.