| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 76.02 |
| Liaison | Rochelle Owen |
| Submission Date | July 21, 2021 |
Dalhousie University
OP-21: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Ray
Carrigan Energy Manager Office of Sustainability |
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 | 463,299 Cubic meters | 1,242,692 Cubic meters |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 461,999 Cubic meters | 1,242,692 Cubic meters |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | April 1, 2019 | March 31, 2020 |
| Baseline Period | April 1, 2009 | March 31, 2010 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
This is the baseline year adopted in the University Sustainability Plan. This figure assumes 80,000 m3 of water for the Agricultural campus in the baseline year. There is no historical measurement of water. As of FY 2018, the Campus is now connected to the Town of Truro's water supply, and thus accurate reporting in the performance year is being provided.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 2,515 | 2,259 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 6 | 9 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 5 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 18,248 | 15,685 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 6,021 | 5,592 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 393 | 160 |
| Weighted campus users | 18,537.25 | 16,409.75 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 461,999 Cubic meters | 1,242,692 Cubic meters |
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 | 541,246 Gross square meters | 468,905 Gross square meters |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 0.85 Cubic meters per square meter | 2.65 Cubic meters per square meter |
Percentage reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area from baseline:
Area of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Vegetated grounds | 65.80 Hectares | 65.80 Hectares |
Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds | 7,041.02 Cubic meters per hectare | 18,885.90 Cubic meters per hectare |
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:
Water conservation is a key program area highlighted in ecolympics and through social marketing Rethink signage and messages. As well, significant fixture retrofits have been made such as low flow shower head, faucet aerators, dual flushing / low flow toilets, timed/occupancy driven urinal flush systems, etc.
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
There is a cistern to collect non-potable water in the Mona Campbell, LeMarchant Place, and Design buildings. Rain water cisterns will be added in new buildings. Also there have been retrofits of large research water units to recycle water (Aquatron).
https://www.dal.ca/dept/sustainability/campus-initiatives/water.html
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
Reducing water consumption - The University has completed many water efficiency projects such as adding sensors to older urinal tanks, installing low flow fixtures and toilets for new and existing buildings, adding rain water cisterns in new buildings, and retrofitting large research water units to recycle water (Aquatron). Upcoming projects are focusing on reducing water used for cooling equipment and air and in research.
https://www.dal.ca/dept/sustainability/campus-initiatives/water.html
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:
Further information regarding GHG emissions related to Water usage can be found in Dalhousie's GHG inventory report. As well, Sustainability 10 year progress report is also attached
Further information regarding GHG emissions related to Water usage can be found in Dalhousie's GHG inventory report. As well, Sustainability 10 year progress report is also attached
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.