Miami University
OP-23: Rainwater Management

The University has the 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.

The purpose and intent of the Master Plan include 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 stormwater infrastructure. •Reinforce and expand the goals of the Campus Master Plan, Exterior Space Plan, Infrastructure Plan, etc The University utilizes a wet detention pond as a 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. The university has 2 green roofs, a series of rain gardens that treat the stormwater 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. 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 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 rainwater. If not, other BMP’s are utilized. A portion of an adjacent buildings roof leaders was directed to drain into a new rain garden built nearby. The rain garden also collects stormwater runoff from an adjacent service area. 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. The wet detention basins have been designed 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. 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. The campus Director of Planning, Architecture and Engineering 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.