Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Ryan Buchholdt
Submission Date Aug. 12, 2015
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Alaska Anchorage
OP-27: Rainwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter Paula Williams
Sustainability Director
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?:
No

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

Use adjacent campus plantings, or plantings specific to circulation systems to intercept rainwater, provide air quality benefits, screen, and to reinforce the campus wayfinding system.Effective building massing can optimize access to views, solar orientation, natural ventilation, and passive heating and cooling and thus reduce building energy use. Minimize solar glare to reduce fading and aging of materials.Ensure that each new and remodeled building contributes to stewardship of the natural environment by adhering to the principles of green design in the selection of appropriate systems and materials, as practicable. Use life cycle costs analysis in assessing the value of each
system and material choice.


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? :
No

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

no formal plan in place, design and managed under the cities guide and regulation


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

n/a


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

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

n/a. *covered storm water drains during construction


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

Our Conoco Phillips Integrated Science Building (CPISB) roof is designed as a vegetated roof and will also reduce the cooling load of the building as well as the heat-island effect for the city. We know this because the solar reflectance index (SRI) is equal to or greater than 78.


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

n/a


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

n/a


A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:

UAA has rain gardens located near the integrated science building. These gardens are called the UAA retiree rain gardens. Rain gardens are recessed areas of land, which have plants that thrive in wet soil. Water collects in rain gardens and plants act as filters for the water before it sinks back into local aquifers. These gardens replenish aquifers instead of adding pressure to storm drains. near ISB


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

BioSwales are located at the Alaska Airline Center


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

In addition to planting a rain garden to the north of CPISB, vegetated swales were also incorporated into the landscaping of this building. Between the swales and rain garden, the stormwater system captures and filters 90% of the average annual rainfall, reducing the impact on stormwater drains and adjacent wetlands


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

The following are quotes from our Facilities Master Plan that relate to stormwater management:

Use storm runoff from roofs to recharge irrigation systems.

Avoid management practices that contribute to the degradation of water quality.

Avoid disturbing native landscapes during campus construction.

Minimize impervious surfaces.

Use appropriate methods, such as bioswale techniques, to remove sediment and other contaminants from runoff.


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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