Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Richard Johnson
Submission Date Aug. 2, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.0

Rice University
OP-23: Stormwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter Richard Johnson
Director of Sustainability
Facilities Engineering and Planning
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Does the institution have a policy, plan, and/or strategies to reduce stormwater runoff from new development projects? :
Yes

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Does the institution have a policy, plan, and/or strategies to reduce stormwater runoff from ongoing campus operations? :
Yes

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A brief description of the institution's stormwater management initiatives:
Rice incorporates a number of strategies to reduce stormwater runoff. These include the use of native grasses, green roofs, porous pavements, a retention pond, and swales, among other techniques.

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The website URL where information about the institution's stormwater management initiatives, plan or policy is available:
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Does the institution have a living or vegetated roof?:
Yes

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A brief description of the institution's living or vegetated roof:
Rice has implemented a number of green roofs around campus: on top of the South Plant, the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen, Duncan College, McMurtry College, Bioscience Research Collaborative, the West Servery, and the Baker College kitchen (due for completion in August 2010). These reduce stormwater runoff and help conserve energy due to their insulating properties.

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Does the institution have porous paving?:
Yes

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A brief description of the institution's porous paving:
A number of sidewalks across campus have porous paving and help reduce stormwater runoff, as well as puddling in walkways. A pervious pavement was also used in the construction of a portion of the North Annex Parking Lot.

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Does the institution have retention ponds?:
Yes

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A brief description of the institution's retention ponds:
Rice has a detention pond in the Harris Gully Natural Area.

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Does the institution have stone swales?:
No

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A brief description of the institution's stone swales:
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Does the institution have vegetated swales?:
Yes

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A brief description of the institution's vegetated swales:
Rice has several vegetated swales in a number of locations around campus, including the Harris Gully Natural Area.

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Does the institution employ any other technologies or strategies for stormwater management?:
Yes

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A brief description of other technologies or strategies for stormwater management employed:
Water condensate from several of Rice's air-handling units is collected for use in cooling towers, instead of being discharged to the storm sewer system. Rainwater is collected from the roof of the Rice Children's Campus and stored in a below-ground cistern for use as irrigation water for the landscaping. Groundwater from de-watering operations at Rice Stadium is diverted for use as irrigation water instead of being discharged into the storm sewer.

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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