| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.41 |
| Liaison | Yolanda Cieters |
| Submission Date | Feb. 22, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Seattle University
OP-26: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.00 / 3.00 |
Phillip
Thompson Director CEJS |
Level of water risk for the institution’s main campus:
Total water use (potable and non-potable combined)::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water use | 39,994,598 Gallons | 36,198,982 Gallons |
Potable water use::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 39,994,598 Gallons | 36,198,982 Gallons |
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users"::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of residential students | 2,160 | 1,845 |
| Number of residential employees | 0 | 0 |
| Number of in-patient hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Full-time equivalent enrollment | 6,454.50 | 6,520 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,377 | 1,169.50 |
| Full-time equivalent of distance education students | 0 | 0 |
Gross floor area of building space::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross floor area | 2,201,508 Square feet | 2,142,930 Square feet |
Area of vegetated grounds::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Vegetated grounds | 20 Acres | 20 Acres |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | July 1, 2014 | June 30, 2015 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2008 | June 30, 2009 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
We used the utility averages for 2007-2009 to determine the base year.
Water recycled/reused on campus, performance year:
Recycled/reused water withdrawn from off-campus sources, performance year:
A brief description of any water recovery and reuse systems employed by the institution:
A cistern captures the rainwater off the Admissions & Alumni building and this water is used to irrigate the landscape.
A brief description of any water metering and management systems employed by the institution:
About half of SU's buildings have water meters. The others are divided by two master meters (10th Ave meter and 11th Ave meter).
A brief description of any building retrofit practices employed by the institution, e.g. to install high efficiency plumbing fixtures and fittings:
Any large scale remodel or addition is encouraged to use LEED gold practices. When buildings are retrofitted, SU uses low fixtures.
A brief description of any policies or programs employed by the institution to replace appliances, equipment and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
When equipment is replaced, SU is always trying to be more efficient and extend life cycles; however, there is no formal policy.
A brief description of any water-efficient landscape design practices employed by the institution (e.g. xeriscaping):
Plants are carefully chosen to be well-suited to the soil conditions and microclimate of the particular place on campus they are to be planted, as well as to the Northwest climate in general. Attention to drought tolerance and winter hardiness is a part of the selection process. These plants should also be resistant to insect and disease infestation, and not invasive species that out-compete native species.
A brief description of any weather-informed irrigation technologies employed by the institution:
The computer-controlled irrigation system has sensors that prevent the irrigation system from turning on when it’s raining.
A brief description of other water conservation and efficiency strategies employed by the institution:
For irrigation, most controllers are using a "smart irrigation system" which automatically adjusts irrigation uses.
Drip irrigation eliminates water lost from wind, overspray, runoff, and evaporation. Plants are watered in the evenings, when watering is most efficient.
Plants with similar watering requirements are grouped in the same zone. We prefer native, drought tolerant plants. A layer of wood chips around the plants regulates soil temperature and reduces water loss to evaporation.
Grass is mowed to 3 inches high, which shades the soil, reduces evaporation, and decreases water needs. Grass clippings are left on the lawn to decompose, adding organic matter to the soil and increasing its water-holding capacity. Lawns are aerated to create deep roots able to withstand longer periods between watering.
The website URL where information about the institution’s water conservation and efficiency initiatives is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.