| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.72 |
| Liaison | Ian Johnson |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2021 |
Colorado College
OP-22: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
George
Eckhardt Campus Planner Facilities Services |
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:
The College complies with City Stormwater management plan requirements. Every physical campus building or landscape improvement project must meet City requirements in order to qualify for a permit. Our Colorado College Facility Design Guidelines Manual, October 2014, Rev. March 2017 addresses storm water management for new construction and renovations in the section, “Colorado College Facility Life-Cycle Design Guidelines for Sustainability” under Site Work on page 60.
Colorado College Facility Design Guidelines Manual: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/plan-design-ops-maint/Facility%20Design%20Guidelines%20Manual,%20Rev.%203-16-17....pdf
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:
Colorado College Facilities Services Sustainable Operations and Maintenance Guidelines Manual, November 2015 addresses stormwater management Bio-Swales/Rain Gardens on page 11 stating that, "Rain gardens are shallow depressions that can hold and soak up water runoff from roof tops, driveways, patios and other impervious surfaces. Rain gardens have deep, compost amended, high infiltration rate soils and are landscaped with native or adapted plants. By holding and naturally infiltrating runoff, rain gardens filter oil and grease from driveways, pesticides and fertilizers from lawns as well as other pollutants before they reach the storm drain and eventually streams, wetlands, lake and other marine waters. Directions: Mulch as much as needed to prevent erosion and weeds, regularly inspect and keep water runoff inlets and outlets well protected with rock and clear of debris, and water as needed until native or adapted plants are well established."
The corner of Uintah and Nevada is the site of five (5) East Campus Housing buildings constructed in 2017 and the associated East Campus Housing Parking Lot with 123 spaces. There was a large storm water retention pond designed and installed in 2017 to collect and filtrate storm water from the housing site into the landscape and soils. Another large storm water retention pond was designed and installed to collect and filtrate storm water from the East Campus Housing parking lot.
In the summer of 2016, an approximately 2,650 square foot live green roof was installed on the top of Honnen Ice Arena on campus. The green roof reduces storm water runoff by 65 to 90 percent in the summer and 25 to 40 percent during winter months. The drought-tolerant sedums provide a low-maintenance green space that helps reduce heating and cooling costs, extends roof life by as much as 40-50 years and provides a natural air filtration system, with one square foot of green roof foliage able to filter seven ounces of dust and smog per year.
The Tutt Library Renovation and Addition in 1917 included a sustainable live green rooftop garden consisting of approximately 5,000 sedums on the third-floor terrace.
Vegetated roofs provide numerous, significant environmental benefits, including:
× Increases roof life; soil and plants provide a protective barrier reducing exposure to ultraviolet rays and extreme temperatures, along with a waterproof roof lining, to extend roof life by as much as 200-300 percent, or 40-50 years.
× Reduces energy costs; improved thermal insulation and reduced heat island effect provide heating and cooling savings.
× Lowers interior sound levels by as much as 40 decibels.
× Improves air filtration; one square foot of green roof foliage can filter seven ounces of dust and smog per year. Plant photosynthesis also reduces greenhouse gases in the air.
× A planted roof also provides financial benefits including the extension of roof life, energy conservation, and conservation of municipal septic systems.
Colorado College Facilities Services Sustainable Operations and Maintenance Guidelines Manual: https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/plan-design-ops-maint/Facility%20Design%20Guidelines%20Manual,%20Rev.%203-16-17....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:
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.