| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 59.44 |
| Liaison | Casey Romero |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2022 |
Oklahoma State University
OP-21: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.33 / 4.00 |
Kristeena
Blaser Sustainability Coordinator Energy Services |
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 | 413,881,000 Gallons | 419,010,000 Gallons |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 413,881,000 Gallons | 419,010,000 Gallons |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | July 1, 2020 | June 30, 2021 |
| Baseline Period | Jan. 1, 2005 | Dec. 31, 2005 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 4,583 | 7,066 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 107 | 411 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 54 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 20,870 | 21,235 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 5,263 | 4,677 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 578 | 247 |
| Weighted campus users | 20,392.75 | 21,118 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 20,295.50 Gallons | 19,841.37 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 | 11,061,634.71 Gross square feet | 10,357,207 Gross square feet |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 37.42 Gallons per square foot | 40.46 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 | 505 Acres | 700 Acres |
Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds | 819,566.34 Gallons per acre | 598,585.71 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:
OSU's Housing & Residential Life staff often host events for the resident halls that help educate students on sustainable practices such as shorter showers, turning off faucets while brushing teeth, stress the importance of reporting water leaks. OSU staff are encouraged to purchase water-saving equipment and Cooperative Extension offers a variety of fact sheets about water conservation.
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
Two large barrels are stationed in the Mother's Garden in front of the Rancher's Club at the Student Union to collect rainwater for use in that garden. OSU has irrigation controllers on a centrally controlled system with a weather station that reads rainfall, wind speed, and evapotranspiration. Irrigation frequency and timing correlate with these calibrations to irrigate at the most efficient settings. Rain sensors are also used on about 85% of the controllers to shut off irrigation if rainfall reaches 1/8 of an inch. These systems continue to be monitored on a regular basis.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
Landscape Services team members are equipped with soil probes to monitor watering needs frequently. Outfitting and training the staff ensures control of overwatering and leak detections. Efficient drip irrigation is used in all newly landscaped and renovated garden spaces. Furthermore, Energy Star appliances are preferred throughout campus and building retrofits include the installation of high-efficiency plumbing fixtures and fittings such as low-flow flush valves, sink and shower aerators. OSU is an EPA Energy Star Partner recognized for using ENERGY STAR resources to reduce energy and water waste.
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.