Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 51.25
Liaison Jacob Saffert
Submission Date Feb. 4, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Saint John's University
OP-27: Rainwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Jacob Saffert
Sustainability Fellow
Office of Sustainability
"---" 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:

Stormwater impacts are carefully considered with all projects involving excavation/site work by facilities staff.


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:

The campus does not have an official stormwater management policy. However, Physical Plant reviews stormwater impacts with each major renovation project completed that encompasses excavation/site work. We also work closely with Engineers and the County to ensure stormwater is properly addressed. Given the campus’ proximity to multiple lakes, shoreland alteration permits are required through the County for nearly any projects involving excavation. For larger projects such as the athletic complex, the County also requires stormwater and erosion controls plans.


A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:
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Rainwater harvested directly and stored/used by the institution, performance year:
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A brief description of any rainwater filtering systems employed by the institution to treat water prior to release:

The campus currently has raingardens at the McKeown Center, near the Abbey Guesthouse, and near the Abbey Cemetery. Planning is also underway for the addition of filtration basins/systems near the Watab and Mary Hall parking lots and under the existing sand volleyball courts.


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

The Seton apartments have vegetated roofs.


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

A pervious paver system was installed throughout the patio and parking areas at the McKeown Center when that building was constructed in 2010. There is also pervious concrete outside the north entrance to Simons Hall.


A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
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A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:

There are rain gardens incororporated into the design of the Abbey Guesthouse, the Cemetery, and the McKeown Center.


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

One located near the Guesthouse, and one holding pond is near Stumpf Lake (as part of Power House operations).


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

There are various grassed areas around campus (along the roads and by the athletic fields especially) that have been sculpted to address stormwater runoff.


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

There is a project in its initial stages to add major rainwater management improvements including:
1. Rain gardens and infiltration areas along both Watab parking lots
2. Converting the volleyball courts into an infiltration basin (replacing the base material and then relaying the sand) to allow for both infiltration and continued use of the courts
3. An underground stormwater storage system at the north end of the Flagpole parking lot.


The website URL where information about the institution’s rainwater management initiatives, plan or policy is available:
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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.