| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.53 |
| Liaison | Rachael Wein |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2020 |
Smith College
OP-21: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.98 / 5.00 |
Stephanie
Choi Sustainability Coordinator CEEDS |
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 | 45,073,629 Gallons | 54,968,434 Gallons |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 45,009,404 Gallons | 54,938,435 Gallons |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | July 1, 2018 | June 30, 2019 |
| Baseline Period | June 1, 2005 | June 9, 2006 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
Oldest accurate data available
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 2,281 | 2,400 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 6 | 6 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 0 | 0 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 3,076 | 2,748 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,259 | 1,128 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 0 | 0 |
| Weighted campus users | 3,823 | 3,508.50 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 11,773.32 Gallons | 15,658.67 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 | 3,196,705 Gross square feet | 2,775,997 Gross square feet |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 14.08 Gallons per square foot | 19.79 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 | 90 Acres | 90 Acres |
Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds | 500,818.10 Gallons per acre | 610,760.38 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:
The Eco-Reps, our peer educator student group, works with their respective house members to educate on water conversation and the importance of it. In the past, they've held events such as April Showers, which is a water-saving competition held during Earth Week in April. Eco-Reps distribute 5 minute shower timers and challenge students to limit their showers to only 5 minutes, and to re-think if they need a daily shower. The house that records the most showers that were limited to 5 minutes or less (per person) receives a prize.
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
Our grounds management department is currently in phase 1 of a 3 phase project to update the Campus irrigation systems to increase water efficiency and effectiveness. The project includes implementing new controllers, flow meters, moisture sensors, and rain sensors. A description of each measure is as follows:
1. controllers: state of the art irrigation controllers that use all the latest technology to help manage water use more effectively
2. flow meters: installation of flow meters will account for an accurate measurement of gallons used, specifically for outdoor irrigation
3. moisture sensors: this technology sensors moisture content in the root zone and adjusts irrigation applied to the area based on that measurement.
4. rain sensors: the prevention of sprinklers running during or just after any level of rainfall. The sensors stop pre-scheduled irrigation when it detects a pre-set level of rainfall. This automatic process ensures landscapes aren't watered during a storm.
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:
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.