Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 69.25
Liaison Laura Bain
Submission Date Jan. 26, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Furman University
OP-27: Rainwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s Low Impact Development (LID) practices:

On all new projects, Fruman attempts to use practices that reduce stormwater runoff rates in accordance with state and county regulations. When possible Furman also uses practices that allow for infiltration, which is difficult with the upstate clays, to reduce runoff volume. We use pavements and stormwater devices that trap sediment, chemicals and nutrients that are harmful.


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? :
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, and/or strategies for ongoing campus operations:

We have the “Furman University Stormwater and Tree Protection Plan”
In the past decade, Furman has used a number of different LID practices and products on a multitude of projects – both new and renovation. These include: structural grass pavement and gravel pavement, porous concrete pavement, pervious brick pavement (with underdrain filtration), native plants, solar energy, rainwater harvesting and storage for irrigation, salvaging of construction materials and stock piling for future use, low VOC paints and adhesives, bio-retention ponds and surfaces, detention ponds, grass filtration strips, buffers on both sides of Little Creek, and manufactured structures such as catch basin inserts, cyclone separators and offset bay separators. And, of course, the new Synthetic Turf Football Field that catches and slows the runoff rate, cleans the stormwater of sediment, and does not require the use of nutrients that damage the environment.


A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:

Using rainwater filtering systems to treat water prior to release (e.g. into public storm drain systems, drainage easements and water bodies).

At the Shi Center, we harvest rainwater coming off of the high-pitched roof into gutters, which flow into downspouts and then proceed through underground pipes headed for the 12,000 gallon capacity cisterns. In addition, any excess water flowing from the gutters flows down 2 water chains on each side of the porch, which flow into successive bog (rain) gardens before finally reaching our lake.

The water collected from the cisterns is used primarily to water the Susan Shi garden. The water from the rain chains flows into 3 small bog (rain) gardens (6 total) located below the porch. From there, they are directed underground into the large bog before reaching our lake (after filtering impurities). Various water loving plants are sustained in our bog gardens which create an environment for numerous bugs, insects and wildlife (plants such as iris', grasses, hibiscus, dwarf horse tail, cat tails, rush, etc.) In essence, a bog (rain garden) mimics a marsh, which is nature's way of filtering dirty water into clean water for the environment, while at the same time providing food and habitat for all of earth's inhabitants.


Rainwater harvested directly and stored/used by the institution, performance year:
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A brief description of any rainwater filtering systems employed by the institution to treat water prior to release:

Currently using catch basin inserts in small areas that catch debris, sediment and oil and grease before it enters the drain systems.
Currently using cyclone separators and bay separators that catch debris and sediment in large areas.
Currently using pervious pavement (concrete and brick) that catch sediment and oils in small local areas.
Currently using grass filter strips that slow down rainwater and allow sediment and impurities to drop out of the flow, and trap them there.


A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:
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A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:
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A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
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A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:
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A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:

Retention and/or detention ponds
Retention ponds are included as Swan Lake, bio-retention ponds are located at the Child Development Center and the Financial Building on Duncan Chapel Road. Not formally detention ponds, more ponding areas to reduce rate of runoff are the areas at Younts Center, Football Parking, Baseball Field, Softball Field.


A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):
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A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:
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The website URL where information about the institution’s rainwater management initiatives, plan or policy is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.