| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.15 |
| Liaison | Amber Saxton |
| Submission Date | Jan. 8, 2021 |
George Mason University
OP-21: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.26 / 5.00 |
Greg
Farley Director of Sustainability University 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 | 142,777,000 Gallons | 133,082,000 Gallons |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 142,777,000 Gallons | 133,082,000 Gallons |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | July 1, 2018 | June 30, 2019 |
| Baseline Period | July 1, 2004 | June 30, 2005 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
The 2005 water baseline was adopted based on its relation to the energy performance contracts completed by Siemens. The baseline is before the energy contracts were implemented.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 6,612 | 3,840 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 17 | 0 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 12 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 31,272.20 | 21,950 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 4,731.60 | 2,997.40 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 1,634 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 27,446.60 | 19,670.55 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 5,201.99 Gallons | 6,765.55 Gallons |
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 | 8,841,372 Gross square feet | 5,015,746 Gross square feet |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 16.15 Gallons per square foot | 26.53 Gallons per square foot |
Percentage reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area from baseline:
Area of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Vegetated grounds | 357.72 Acres | 255 Acres |
Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds | 399,130.60 Gallons per acre | 521,890.20 Gallons per acre |
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:
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
On the Fairfax campus, the irrigation system has sensors that register when there is rainfall; thus water less if at all. While at the Science and Technology campus, the irrigation system evaluates local weather data. Mason's Child Development Center Garden has an irrigation system from Water Management, Inc. The irrigation system utilizes rainwater to water the garden.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
Since 2005, Mason has initiated two energy savings performance contracts where heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment were upgraded along with lighting and water fixtures. Mason also follows Virginia state policy which states that all new buildings should be built to LEED Silver or equivalent. Mason's Design Information Manual also prioritizes water saving infrastructure when constructing new buildings.
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:
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.