Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 81.34
Liaison Robert Stroufe
Submission Date Nov. 26, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Chatham University
OP-23: Rainwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Mary Whitney
University Sustainability Coordinator
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Which of the following best describes the institution’s approach to rainwater management?:
Comprehensive policies, plans or guidelines that require LID practices for all new projects

A brief description of the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices:
One major environmental concern in Pittsburgh is the management of stormwater runoff. With an antiquated storm system, large rain events have a harmful effect on the city's waterways. Chatham has implemented a number of techniques to reduce the effects of stormwater. First, a historical pond was restored to capture rainwater from the Mellon Green. Second, the new athletic field allows water to infiltrate and slowly releases it into the sewer system, after the main push of the rain event. In 2010, rain barrels were installed outside of Rea House and Beatty House to capture rooftop run off and for watering the surrounding gardens. In summer 2011, a rain garden was installed behind Dilworth Hall that contains certain species of plants capable of withstanding more saturation from water runoff. All new buildings will be planned to have a rain garden, and all existing buildings where a rain garden is possible are having them installed over a 10-year period. Eden Hall has several rain gardens to manage runoff from parking areas (although parking areas are also built with permeable paving.)

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:
Rainwater management is part of the institutional Master Plan and the Eden Hall Master plan (see PA2 for attachments.)

Optional Fields 

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:
More information about the Eden Hall catchment system: http://www.chatham.edu/news/index.php/2015/06/chatham-views/harvesting-rainwater-at-eden-hall-campus Stormwater management practices in the Eden Hall Campus Master Plan: https://www.chatham.edu/edenhall/documents/EdenHallMasterPlan_Rev082113.pdf Sometimes we harvest a bit more than rainwater in our rain gardens: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=675894339210813& set=gm.1872395232986657&type=1&theater

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.