| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 45.93 |
| Liaison | Gabrielle Jette |
| Submission Date | April 13, 2022 |
The Catholic University of America
OP-21: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.64 / 4.00 |
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 | 48,060,000 Gallons | 70,268,000 Gallons |
Potable water use:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 48,060,000 Gallons | 70,268,000 Gallons |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Period | May 1, 2020 | April 30, 2021 |
| Baseline Period | May 1, 2015 | April 30, 2016 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
The water baseline covers the University's Fiscal Year 2016. This year is significant as it is the last full year of data before the University embarked on a campus infrastructure project.
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users":
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of students resident on-site | 1,555 | 4,133 |
| Number of employees resident on-site | 26 | 23 |
| Number of other individuals resident on-site | 14 | 13 |
| Total full-time equivalent student enrollment | 3,930 | 4,174 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,514 | 1,465 |
| Full-time equivalent of students enrolled exclusively in distance education | 3,107 | 553 |
| Weighted campus users | 2,162 | 4,866.50 |
Potable water use per weighted campus user:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per weighted campus user | 22,229.42 Gallons | 14,439.12 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 | 2,034,186 Gross square feet | 2,099,932 Gross square feet |
Potable water use per unit of floor area:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use per unit of floor area | 23.63 Gallons per square foot | 33.46 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 | 176 Acres | 176 Acres |
Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds:
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Total water withdrawal per unit of vegetated grounds | 273,068.18 Gallons per acre | 399,250 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 University encourages the campus population to reduce their water usage. Many tips and strategies are displayed on the University sustainability website, on social media accounts, and through sustainability orientation handouts.
In 2021, the University placed stickers throughout campus encouraging the community to take shorter showers and turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
A brief description of the institution's water recovery and reuse initiatives:
The University has two rainwater harvesting systems on campus. One is located at Maloney Hall, the home of the Busch School of Business. The rainwater harvesting system there is an underground storage tank that collects rainwater. The rainwater is then used for reuse to flush plumbing fixtures in the building.
The other rainwater harvesting system is included in the University's central plant. The underground cistern there is used to collect water to supply make up water to the University's three centralized cooling towers.
A brief description of the institution's initiatives to replace plumbing fixtures, fittings, appliances, equipment, and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
When plumbing renovations are set to occur, the University often procures lower flush, flow, and process water fixtures and equipment. Recently, the University renovated all of the bathrooms in Flather Hall, a residence hall, in 2020. The bathrooms were upgraded to low flow and low flush fixtures.
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:
Performance year data is FY2020 (May 2020 - April 2021). Baseline year data is FY2016 (May 2015 - April 2016). This baseline year was chosen as it was the last full year of data before a campus-wide infrastructure project designed to reduce water use. Campus population data is provided for each of these time periods. Note that this data is different from that in PRE-5 due to the different performance and baseline years.
Performance year data is FY2020 (May 2020 - April 2021). Baseline year data is FY2016 (May 2015 - April 2016). This baseline year was chosen as it was the last full year of data before a campus-wide infrastructure project designed to reduce water use. Campus population data is provided for each of these time periods. Note that this data is different from that in PRE-5 due to the different performance and baseline years.
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.