Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.47
Liaison Daryl Pierson
Submission Date March 30, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Portland State University
OP-22: Water Use

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 4.00 / 4.00 Amanda Wolf
Program + Assessment Coordinator
Campus Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Level of ”Physical Risk QUANTITY” for the institution’s main campus as indicated by the World Resources Institute’s Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas:
Low to Medium

Total water use (potable and non-potable combined):
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total water use 88,328,680 Gallons 157,204,613 Gallons

Potable water use:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Potable water use 88,328,680 Gallons 157,204,613 Gallons

Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
Start Date End Date
Performance Year July 1, 2016 June 30, 2017
Baseline Year July 1, 2006 June 30, 2007

A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:

Earliest year with data.


Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
Performance Year Baseline Year
Number of students resident on-site 2,232 1,000
Number of employees resident on-site 73 30
Number of other individuals resident on-site and/or staffed hospital beds 0 0
Total full-time equivalent student enrollment 20,844 15,639
Full-time equivalent of employees (staff + faculty) 2,758 2,098
Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education 1,011 0
Weighted campus users 17,519.50 13,560.25

Potable water use per weighted campus user:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Potable water use per weighted campus user 5,041.74 Gallons 11,593.05 Gallons

Percentage reduction in potable water use per weighted campus user from baseline:
56.51

Gross floor area of building space:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Gross floor area 5,161,397 Gross square feet 4,761,979 Gross square feet

Potable water use per unit of floor area:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Potable water use per unit of floor area 17.11 Gallons per square foot 33.01 Gallons per square foot

Percentage reduction in potable water use per unit of floor area from baseline:
48.16

Does the institution wish to pursue Part 3 of this credit? (reductions in total water use per acre/hectare of vegetated grounds):
Yes

Area of vegetated grounds:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Vegetated grounds 15.18 Acres 14.18 Acres

Total water use (potable + non-potable) per unit of vegetated grounds:
Performance Year Baseline Year
Total water use per unit of vegetated grounds 5,818,753.62 Gallons per acre 11,086,361.99 Gallons per acre

Percentage reduction in total water use per unit of vegetated grounds from baseline:
47.51

A brief description of the institution's water-related behavior change initiatives, e.g. initiatives to shift individual attitudes and practices such as signage and competitions:

EcoReps and Residential Outreach:
EcoRep projects have included signage regarding water use behavior in dorms/apartments and laundry rooms.

Climate Champions Program:
Question specifically asking about water conservation, providing staff with information and resources to help encourage water conservation practices.


A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:

Academic and Student Recreation Center (LEED Gold)*
Rain is harvested on the 5th floor and is collected in a holding tank on the first floor for use flushing toilets.

Engineering Building Hydrology Lab
Portland State University's Engineering Building, is equipped with a rainwater harvesting system that uses Oregon's average 38"" of annual rainfall to supplement the building's overall water demand. The system captures rain from the rooftop and diverts a portion through the rainwater harvesting system located in the hydrology lab on the 2nd floor. The water is stored in a 1000 gallon storage tank, filtered through carbon, and undergoes UV sterilization before being pumped to toilets and urinals on the 1st floor. In addition to conserving flush water and reducing rainwater runoff, this system also contributes to the university's engineering curriculum. Students use the rainwater harvesting system to study water usage rates, savings, filtration methods, and other aspects in an effort to advance this technology.

Stephen Epler Hall (LEED Silver)
Rainwater harvesting system to reduce need for potable water.

https://www.pdx.edu/sustainability/water


A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives (e.g. building retrofits):

Green Revolving Fund Projects:
-Low flow fixture and installed aerators on sinks to reduce water usage in Millar Library, East Hall, and Cramer Hall


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.