| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.42 |
| Liaison | Andrew D'Amico |
| Submission Date | Aug. 25, 2021 |
Princeton University
OP-21: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
5.00 / 5.00 |
Thomas
Nyquist Executive Director Engineering and Campus Energy |
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 | 183,453,080 Gallons | 244,343,500 Gallons |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 183,453,080 Gallons | 244,343,500 Gallons |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | July 1, 2019 | June 30, 2020 |
| Baseline Period | July 1, 2005 | June 30, 2006 |
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 | 6,767 | 6,111 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 332 | 474 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 483 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 8,441 | 6,935 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 6,897 | 5,400 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 13,761.25 | 10,897.50 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 13,331.13 Gallons | 22,421.98 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 | 9,628,405 Gross square feet | 8,158,600 Gross square feet |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 19.05 Gallons per square foot | 29.95 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 | 346 Acres | 260 Acres |
Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds | 530,211.21 Gallons per acre | 939,782.69 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:
Dual-flush toilets that were installed across campus to conserve water from toilet flushing are accompanied by informational signage in the bathroom stalls to encourage proper use and raise awareness about water conservation efforts.
The Andlinger Center also posted signage in its restrooms to alert occupants that water used for toilet flushing is harvested and reused from a rainwater collection system.
All dining halls are also tray-free, eliminating the need to wash trays.
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
The University has installed a combined 30,000 gallons of capacity for rainwater harvesting and condensate reuse for use in toilet flushing.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
Princeton University has taken significant steps to reduce water usage on campus by installing low-flow plumbing and athletic irrigation fixtures, high-efficiency washing machines and dishwashers, and tray-free dining in all dining halls.
Water-efficient plumbing includes low-flow sink aerators, showerheads and dual-flush toilets. There are also low-flow urinals installed in the Frick Chemistry building (1/8th of a gallon per flush) and several Sloan/Falcon waterless urinals installed on campus, including in Dillon gym and Butler College.
Water used for irrigation has been reduced by installing turf fields on athletic fields, and Princeton’s innovative “PowerPure” treatment system in Baker Rink saves hundreds of thousands of gallons of fresh water per year.
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:
Total water usage represents water usage in additional University-owned buildings on top of those accounted for in the reported figure for gross floor area of building space (which only represent buildings in the CO2 footprint/main campus).
Potable water usage is assumed to equal total water usage, however not all water usage is used for potable purposes. The University is currently unable to differentiate water used in buildings versus water used for landscape irrigation.
Total water usage represents water usage in additional University-owned buildings on top of those accounted for in the reported figure for gross floor area of building space (which only represent buildings in the CO2 footprint/main campus).
Potable water usage is assumed to equal total water usage, however not all water usage is used for potable purposes. The University is currently unable to differentiate water used in buildings versus water used for landscape irrigation.
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.