| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.14 |
| Liaison | Bremen Leak |
| Submission Date | July 10, 2024 |
Brigham Young University
OP-21: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Bremen
Leak Associate Director Sustainability & Continuity |
Level of ”Physical Risk Quantity” for the institution’s main campus as indicated by the World Resources Institute Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas:
Total water withdrawal (potable and non-potable combined):
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal | 419,989,000 Gallons | 863,552,000 Gallons |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 419,989,000 Gallons | 863,552,000 Gallons |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | Jan. 1, 2022 | Dec. 31, 2022 |
| Baseline Period | Jan. 1, 2005 | Dec. 31, 2005 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
For energy reporting, 2015 serves as a baseline, while 2005 is used as a baseline for water reporting. The longer timespan helps account for the higher water savings, which have accrued over decades through gradual and incremental water conservation efforts on campus. 2007 was the peak year for consumption.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 7,609 | 5,953 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 31 | 31 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 3,283 | 3,458 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 33,912 | 32,811 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 9,139 | 8,674.13 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 355 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 37,215 | 36,067.85 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 11,285.48 Gallons | 23,942.43 Gallons |
Percentage reduction in potable water use per weighted campus user from baseline:
Gross floor area of building space:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross floor area | 11,302,182 Gross square feet | 9,855,238 Gross square feet |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 37.16 Gallons per square foot | 87.62 Gallons per square foot |
Percentage reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area from baseline:
Area of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Vegetated grounds | 265 Acres | 292 Acres |
Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds | 1,584,864.15 Gallons per acre | 2,957,369.86 Gallons per acre |
Percentage reduction in total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds from baseline:
A brief description of the institution's water-related behavior change initiatives:
BYU's campus community understands that water is precious in Utah, where 95% of water comes from snowpack. A BYU-led public-private partnership called Grow the Flow aims to replenish the Great Salt Lake, which has shrunk by two-thirds since the late 1980s due to overconsumption and drought. (See Y Magazine's "When in Drought: At the Great Salt Lake and throughout the West, cracks are showing in the water plan. BYU experts have ideas on how to turn the tide.") A culture of conservation on campus has resulted, with students and staff taking steps to reduce water consumption at home and at work. Many scientific research initiatives at the university are focused on domestic and international water issues (see AC-9), while operational improvements are reducing or replacing turf in highly visible areas of campus, including the main quad between the administration building and the BYU Library. Throughout campus, the ongoing installation of new water meters continues to inform conservation efforts.
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
BYU has two stormwater detention vaults (see OP-22). Generally, non-potable water used on campus is permitted to recharge local aquifers or flow to Utah Lake via municipal storm systems, ensuring that the lake and its terminus, the Great Salt Lake, achieve healthy levels. Potable water is treated locally and reused.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
Indoors, BYU has installed high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and appliances and replaced water-cooled condensers with air-cooled condensers to reduce water consumption. This is true at the Missionary Training Center, adjacent to BYU campus and maintained by BYU staff.
Outdoors, BYU has installed cloud-based sprinkler systems and moisture sensors in the soil. Water audits are conducted regularly. Grass, shrubs, and flowers are treated separately with irrigation heads, including MPR rotor heads and xeri-pop heads that use the least amount of water. Drip irrigation is used for shrubs.
All valves are connected to a computer irrigation system that considers soil types, sun-orientation, wind, rain and other environmental factors, allowing plants to thrive at maximum evapotranspiration.
Website URL where information about the institution’s water conservation and efficiency efforts is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.