Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 66.71
Liaison Julie Cahillane
Submission Date March 6, 2020

STARS v2.2

Northwestern University
OP-22: Rainwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Sarah Tulga
Sustainability Program Coordinator
Facilities
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Which of the following best describes the institution’s approach to rainwater management?:
Comprehensive policies, plans or guidelines that require LID practices for all new projects

A brief description of the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices:
Northwestern manages storm water in many areas on campus with the use of daisy basins, cisterns, and retention areas (bio-swales/rain gardens) thereby keeping the storm water onsite with direct re-entry and natural infiltration back into the ground. With every new project there are on-going attempts to better integrate and optimize GI and LID strategies for both campuses.

It is a multi-step approach with strategies that adhere to local and MWRD regulatory suggestions and mandates. Through a variety of engineered solutions, both green and gray, and flood-prone property acquisitions, the MWRD’s Stormwater Management Program and Ordinances addresses both regional and local flooding problems throughout Cook County. These are very stringent.
https://mwrd.org/stormwater-management

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:
Water is recycled in creative ways through bioswales, green roofs, and daisy basins. Northwestern has bioswales near the athletic fields and parking lots to move water to plants that need it. Green Roofs, which minimize stormwater runoff, are found at the Wild Roots Garden on the Norris University Center South Lawn. Daisy basins are fixtures unique to Northwestern that also divert stormwater runoff. Though most of them are underground, some older daisy basins are visible above ground near Norris University Center.

Language around rainwater and storm water management is within the Building Design Guidelines for all facilities staff and contractors.

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices is available:
---

Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Design guidelines here: https://www.northwestern.edu/fm/contractors/docs/2019-2019.2-designguidelines1.pdf

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.