| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.82 |
| Liaison | Rochelle Owen |
| Submission Date | Jan. 7, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Dalhousie University
OP-27: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Does the institution use Low Impact Development (LID) practices as a matter of policy or standard practice to reduce rainwater/stormwater runoff volume and improve outgoing water quality for new construction, major renovation, and other projects?:
A brief description of the institution’s Low Impact Development (LID) practices:
Dalhousie recognizes the importance of managing water quality and quantity on campus. We are positioned in a climate that receives on average 125 mm of rain per month and our Halifax campuses are positioned in the urban center where water and sewage are combined. During periods of heavy rain, flooding, backups, and the release of sewage into the harbor are of concern. In an effort to reduce our impact on storm water infrastructure, Dalhousie has established storm water management guidelines to be considered during regular campus management, but also during campus development projects. Vegetated and non-vegetated solutions have been installed and more will be tied to future campus projects.
Has the institution adopted a rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, or strategies that mitigate the rainwater runoff impacts of ongoing campus operations through the use of green infrastructure? :
A brief description of the institution’s rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, and/or strategies for ongoing campus operations:
Management for new development, vegetative solutions and non-vegetative solutions for storm water management are outlined in the Dalhousie Landscape design guidelines -
A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:
Rain water harvesting infrastructure is in place in the Mona Campbell Building. Due to rainwater harvesting and efficient water-use, the Mona Campbell Building uses 67% less potable water (compared to a typical building of its size). Building bathrooms have low-flow fixtures. A rainwater harvesting system where rainwater is used for non-potable water functions such as flushing toilets and urinals and for landscaping purposes. The rainwater is collected on the roof and then is stored in a 77,000 litre cistern in the basement.
Rainwater harvested directly and stored/used by the institution, performance year:
A brief description of any rainwater filtering systems employed by the institution to treat water prior to release:
UV filters are used to treat the rain water used for flushing toilets in the Mona Campbell building. A new building has just been opened that also uses rain water harvesting.
A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:
Green roofs at Dalhousie have been used specifically to help filter pollutants from the air and rainwater, increase biodiversity, reduce storm water runoff, reduce heat loss, and increase the roof's life span.Mona Campbell Building Green Roof: The plants on the green roof include varieties of Chives, Blue Fescue, Stonecrop, and Sedum. Lemarchant Place Building has approximately 2347.44 square feet of green roof.
http://www.dal.ca/dept/sustainability/programs/Natural_Environment/storm-water-management.html
A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:
Permeable paving strips installed in the Hancock parking lot and in the Ocean Sciences Building parking lot allow for water to be drawn into the ground instead of catch basins. These strips will be monitored for their long-term performance.
Also, in the fall of 2014, a permeable bike corral was installed adjacent to the rain garden in the center of Studley campus, made of permeable pavers. It has an area of 54 square meters and is surrounded by perennial plants.
http://www.dal.ca/dept/sustainability/programs/Natural_Environment/storm-water-management.html
A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
As a municipal bylaw, no new development can connect to the sewer/storm water system. On site storm water solutions must be considered during new development. A recent rain garden project on campus plans to direct roof water into the garden as a demo project for Dalhousie houses and future development projects.
A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:
A rain garden at the corner of Coburg Rd and Oxford St was established in 2013 to mitigate flooding problems on Dalhousie and neighbouring property. The rain garden slows the flow of water and directs it into the ground before it has a chance to build volume and speed as it travels across paved surfaces. This is the first rain garden on campus. In the fall of 2014, a rain garden was constructed in the center of Studley campus, with an area of 33 square meters. Water from the surrounding street is directed into the rain garden and is treated with a mixture of native and adaptive perennial plant species.
http://www.dal.ca/dept/sustainability/programs/Natural_Environment/storm-water-management.html
A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:
The Ocean Pond on the Studley campus is an example of a retention pond that collects storm water, but is also an education tool as it is representative of a Nova Scotia wetland.
A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):
The landscape at the Ocean Sciences Building uses grassed swales to direct and slow-down water in the landscape.
A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:
Creating storm water maps for future planning and engaging in storm water management research using vegetative bodies.
http://www.dal.ca/dept/sustainability/programs/Natural_Environment/storm-water-management.html
The website URL where information about the institution’s rainwater management initiatives, plan or policy 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.