| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.35 |
| Liaison | Alexis Reyes |
| Submission Date | Oct. 29, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Pomona College
OP-27: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Ginny
Routhe Director Sustainability Integration Office |
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?:
A brief description of the institution’s Low Impact Development (LID) practices:
The Pomona College Sustainability Action Plan sets an objective of increased use of sustainable stormwater management technologies for 2020 and identifies stormwater management as a main issue concerning water at the College. In its 2010 Open Space and Landscape Guidelines, the College outlines basic strategies for stormwater management: incorporation of unique site conditions into open space design, restoration of the Wash to its original function as a drainage basin, use of bio-retention basins or vegetated swales in newly created natural areas, reduction of impervious surfaces, use of permeable pavement wherever possible, the elimination of curbs and gutters, the use of large lawns as stormwater percolation beds where possible, and the transformation of surface parking lots into open and green spaces. All of the strategies in the Open Space and Landscape Guidelines have been adopted to some degree, including bioswales, pervious pavement, and an increase in total permeable open space on campus. The College is currently working on a significant stormwater management project that will redirect all stormwater from the northern part of campus into an underground filtration basin, reconnecting this water with the natural aquifer.
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? :
A brief description of the institution’s rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, and/or strategies for ongoing campus operations:
According to the Pomona College Green Building Standards, all new construction and major renovation is required to abide by these standards and build to LEED Gold Standards. This includes achieving and prioritizing prerequisite (internal to Pomona) LEED credits. Of these, both storm water design credits are required (6.1 and 6.2 - quantity and quality control).
A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:
Careful grading and bioswales are incorporated into landscaping projects around campus, per the Green Building Standards. Land is graded to move water towards plants and bioswales are installed to direct rain through landscape to be filtered by plants and remain in retention ponds to be soaked into the ground to recharge the aquifer.
Rainwater harvested directly and stored/used by the institution, performance year:
A brief description of any rainwater filtering systems employed by the institution to treat water prior to release:
Pomona College has constructed numerous bioswales, infiltration trenches, and retention ponds in about a dozen locations on campus that employ soil as natural filters to treat storm water.
A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:
Sontag Hall, completed in 2011, and LEED Platinum certified, includes a rooftop garden which is operated as a mentoring program by the Draper Center for Community Partnerships. The program aims to increase activism and awareness around environmental justice, sustainability, and gardening; build leadership and presentation skills; and develop positive mentoring relationships between Pomona and Teen Green students.
A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:
Porous paving has been utilized across campus, including the use of Turfcrete, decomposed granite, and other permeable surfaces. In the past two years, 100,000 square feet of concrete and impermeable asphalt was converted to landscaped areas with permeable walkways and paving.
A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:
A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:
The campus makes use of designed detention basins within landscaping to collect water after a storm and reconnect that water with the natural aquifer. All landscaping renovations incorporate storm water management such as retention ponds and bioswales.
A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):
Vegetated swales are used in a number of places on campus to temporarily collect and channel stormwater runoff into basins that drain into the natural aquifer. An extensive system of new swales was recently completed for the southeastern corner of campus at Columbia Street across from the South Campus Parking Structure, and another large one installed to the east of Bridges Hall of Music in 2013.
A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:
The College has a long-term plan to significantly reduce the area of concrete and asphalt surfaces on campus, which will significantly alter the path of stormwater on campus. Runoff will be channeled into retention basins, pervious pavement areas, and swales.
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:
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.