| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.46 |
| Liaison | Ciannat Howett |
| Submission Date | Oct. 9, 2024 |
Emory University
OP-22: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 2.00 |
Cyrus
Bhedwar Director Office of Sustainability Initiatives |
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:
Emory practices continual streambank restoration and management, including hosting groups of students to plant pollinator-attractive plants in 25-foot streambank buffers across campus to enhance pollinator habitat while employing green infrastructure to slow and clean stormwater and runoff. Cisterns are located around campus that allow for harvested rainwater to be used wherever the water is needed for irrigation, and in some buildings, for toilet flushing. Bioretention swales have been constructed in several areas, which are designed to filter stormwater runoff from pavement and slow the flow of water before it returns to the watershed. Emory is committed to restoring and maintaining the connectivity of Emory's forests, particularly the natural corridor along South Peachtree Creek from Wesley Woods, through Harwood Forest and the Lullwater Preserve, within the context of its Piedmont origins.
As described in the reference in the notes section, Emory has installed several green roofs on buildings throughout campus to absorb rainwater and provide other environmental benefits.
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:
As part of the Campus Master Plan 2005 Update, Emory University produced a Stormwater Master Plan that incorporates best management practices needed to address current stormwater system shortcomings and reduce the impact of continuing development on the watershed receiving streams. The plan addresses water quality and quantity design guidelines and references both existing and future stormwater systems. All new, large capital projects have underground "water quality devices" (aka, CrystalStream units) installed to filter rainwater to county and state code requirements.
Emory has preserved or conserved almost half its campus from development, allowing natural areas to absorb and release rainwater (see Land Classification Map in notes).
Emory has established a forest management plan to further retain or restore the natural features of the land on campus. (see Forest Management Plan in notes)
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
All data reported in this section are from September 2022-August 2023.
Green roofs at Emory story: https://news.emory.edu/stories/2017/08/er_green_roofs_emory/campus.html
Land Classification Map (for preserved and conserved land): https://sustainability.emory.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/2017-Land-Classification-Plan.pdf
Forest Management Plan: https://guides.libraries.emory.edu/ld.php?content_id=48485180
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.