Overall Rating Bronze - expired
Overall Score 40.54
Liaison Rebecca Quesnell
Submission Date Dec. 18, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Roosevelt University
OP-27: Rainwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Rebecca Quesnell
Sustainable Operations Coordinator
Physical Resources
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s Low Impact Development (LID) practices:

There has been conversion of water intensive landscaping to natural landscaping with prairie grasses which filters storm water and utilizes natural features for rainwater/storm water management, at Roosevelt's Schaumburg campus. Roosevelt also developed and utilizes rain gardens, a detension basin, an irrigation system for a community garden, and permeable pavement (in some areas) at the Schaumburg campus. At the downtown Chicago campus, there is 8,000 square feet of green rooftops that capture rain water (versus the water running off), and help to water a modest herb/vegetable garden on one of the roof systems as well.


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? :
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, and/or strategies for ongoing campus operations:

Prairie restoration at the Schaumburg site manages rain and storm water naturally with bioswales, a rain garden, detention basin, and select areas of permeable pavement. Green roof systems on the Wabash and Goodman Center buildings utilize/prevent most rain water runoff.


A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:

Two rain barrels are next to the community garden at Roosevelt's Schaumburg campus. Only one is usually used at any given time; but, both are used if there is ever an issue with the irrigation system. The rain barrels are not connected to any downspouts due to the Village of Schaumburg ordinances.


Rainwater harvested directly and stored/used by the institution, performance year:
0 Gallons

A brief description of any rainwater filtering systems employed by the institution to treat water prior to release:

N/A


A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:

The Wabash building currently has two green roofs (located on the 5th floor) which supply a modest amount of organic food to the cafeteria (and also have green roof ground cover vegetation). There are four more green roof systems on the building that are covered in ground cover plants that help to absorb water and reduce the urban heat island effect. The Goodman center also has green roof space. Total roof space vegetated: 8,000 square feet.


A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:

In 2013, a five-year permeable pavement replacement project began, allowing improved water infiltration and reduced runoff at the Schaumburg campus. Currently, test areas of permeable pavement are located in one of the Schaumburg Campus courtyards, as well as between the storage facility and main campus.


A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
---

A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:

At the Schaumburg campus there is a rain garden located in the center of the campus near the main entrance.


A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:

At the Schaumburg campus there is a natural detention basin in the NW corner of the campus.


A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):

At the Schaumburg campus there is a vegetated bioswale N of the main campus entrance.


A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:

Roosevelt replaced 8.5 acres of impermeable, water-consumptive lawn with native prairie grasses, rain garden and a detention basin. We have also installed a drip irrigation system for our Schaumburg Campus community garden-- the system is solar powered.


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:
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