Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 63.40
Liaison Olivia Herron
Submission Date March 2, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Miami University
OP-27: Rainwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 John Seibert
University Architect
Physical Facilities
"---" 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:

The University has a policy to reduce stormwater runoff from new development per an approved Campus Stormwater Master Plan.
• The Master Plan shows campus wide design principals using both structural and non-structural Best Management Practices (BMP’s).
• The Master Plan shows incorporation of BMP’s into the existing natural campus landscape through new wet detention ponds, rain gardens, natural buffers along water bodies, and green roofs.
• The University also has more than 1000 acres of conservation lands known as the Natural Areas.

The Master Plan is intended to be grounded within the principles of sustainable design and construction and support the university’s efforts to consider the impacts of capital improvement projects on the natural environment and quality and experience of campus life.


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:

The purpose and intent of the Master Plan includes the following:
• Balance campus growth & development with the preservation of the natural environment.
• Meet local, state, and federal regulations – including EPA’s NPDES Phase II Post-Construction runoff requirements
• Enhance the functional and aesthetic qualities of the campus environment
• Extend the functional lifecycle and reduce long term operational costs of storm water infrastructure.
• Reinforce and expand the goals of the Campus Master Plan, Exterior Space Plan, Infrastructure Plan, etc


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

The University utilizes a wet detention pond as means to irrigate a 5 acre recreational field. The 1 acre wet pond collects stormwater from a 23 acre campus watershed of streets, buildings, synthetic recreational field, and natural lawns.


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:

The university has 2 green roofs, a series of rain gardens that treat the stomwater from a 20 acre watershed, rain gardens to treat multiple building service areas, stream restoration that institutes linear buffers, pools, and wetlands (to treat and slow runoff), and 2 wet detention basins treating together more than 50 acres of developed campus lands.


A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:

The campus has 2 "extensive" vegetated roofs, planted with trays of sedum. One is located on our geothermal plant where a portion of the roof is open to classes and invited guests. The other vegetated roof is located on a dining hall. Both roofs are visible from street level.
In addition, the North Parking Garage has an "intensive" vegetated roof, planted with trees and bedding plants along walkways.


A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:

A recent reconstruction effort of a building entrance (Shideler Hall) included the use of permeable pavers as a treatment of stormwater for the area. Underdrains were tied into the existing natural gravel layer 48” below grade. We only utilize permeable pavers if the below native soil structure allows for infiltration of raninwater. If not, other BMP’s are utilized.


A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:

A portion of an adjacent buildings roof leaders were directed to drain into a new rain garden built nearby. The rain garden also collects stormwater runoff from an adjacent service area.


A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:

Rain gardens have been designed so as to complement and integrate seamlessly into the existing surrounding campus landscape. Plant material was chosen for both landscape attractiveness as well as utilitarian use for treating rainwater.


A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:

The wet detention basins have been design to complement and integrate seamlessly into the existing surrounding campus landscape. They were designed to become amenities to the surrounding campus users. One pond is being used as a rainwater harvesting for irrigation while another has been designed to allow future use as a rainwater harvesting for irrigation. Plant material was chosen for both landscape attractiveness as well as utilitarian use for treating rainwater.


A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):

One of our commuter parking lots has been designed to have most stormwater enter and run through a vegetated swale prior to entering the piped underground stormwater system.


A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:

The campus Landscape Architect reviews all capital investment projects as it pertains to rainwater management and requires project design teams to think about the management of rainwater in the program development phase of projects so that is included in preliminary budget estimates.


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:
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