| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 73.23 |
| Liaison | Heather Albert-Knopp |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2022 |
College of the Atlantic
OP-21: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.41 / 4.00 |
Andrea
Russell Sustainability Coordinator and Community Energy Center Program Manager -- |
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 | 1,666,596.36 Gallons | 2,006,884 Gallons |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 1,666,596.36 Gallons | 2,006,884 Gallons |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | July 1, 2020 | June 30, 2021 |
| Baseline Period | July 1, 2005 | June 30, 2006 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
The College's first year of complete data is from FY-06 (7/1/05-6/30/06).
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 170 | 104 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 6 | 0 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 4 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 345 | 296 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 93 | 94 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 376.50 | 318.50 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 4,426.55 Gallons | 6,301.05 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 | 189,827 Gross square feet | 152,347 Gross square feet |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 8.78 Gallons per square foot | 13.17 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 | 28.45 Acres | 28.45 Acres |
Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds | 58,588.07 Gallons per acre | 70,550.66 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:
Information sheets are posted above most toilets, showing annual and per/flush volume for standard and low-flow toilets. These sheets remind users there are low-flow and composting toilets (using zero water) available on campus.
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
The Kathryn W. Davis (KWD) Student Residential Village comprises three separate duplex units each with three levels, with each duplex sharing a central common space. In each duplex, gray water from showers preheats incoming cold water to reduce the amount of hot water needed to take a comfortable shower thus saving on energy use. Also, to reduce water use associated with flushing toilets the 51 bed KWD Residential Village has composting toilets on all second and third floor levels of each duplex. The Deering Common Campus Center uses composting toilets as well as low-flow water fixtures and waterless urinals.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
All new and replacement fixtures are high efficiency/low flow. This is the practice of the buildings and grounds department on campus. In December 2021 and January 2022, all 44 showerheads on campus were replaced with WaterSense certified low-flow, 1.5 gallon per minute models. We anticipate that this will reduce campus-wide water use by 5-10%.
From COA's Sustainable Building policy: "A 'new building space' refers to any renovation or addition made to an existing building or to the construction of any new building or structure." The requirements for fixture replacement / installation are as follows:
New building spaces must incorporate design for greywater and non-toxic rainwater collection systems whenever possible.
Water meters must be installed for all new building spaces to monitor hot and cold water use.
All water fixtures installed in a new building space must conform to the most current EPA WaterSense specifications.
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.