| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.82 |
| Liaison | Konrad Schlarbaum |
| Submission Date | Feb. 20, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
OP-26: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.81 / 4.00 |
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 | 45,052,601 Gallons | 33,146,707 Gallons |
Potable water use::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 45,052,601 Gallons | 33,154,696 Gallons |
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users"::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of residential students | 1,140 | 755 |
| Number of residential employees | 2 | 0 |
| Number of in-patient hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Full-time equivalent enrollment | 8,667 | 6,774 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 1,319 | 990 |
| Full-time equivalent of distance education students | 988 | 198 |
Gross floor area of building space::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross floor area | 1,832,183 Square feet | 1,392,472 Square feet |
Area of vegetated grounds::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Vegetated grounds | 133 Acres | 80 Acres |
Start and end dates of the performance year and baseline year (or three-year periods):
| Start Date | End Date | |
| Performance Year | July 1, 2012 | June 30, 2013 |
| Baseline Year | July 1, 2005 | June 30, 2006 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
This is the first year for which we have complete, accurate utility data, including water.
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Recycled/reused water withdrawn from off-campus sources, performance year: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:
Water recovery and reuse is illegal in the state of Colorado.
A brief description of any water metering and management systems employed by the institution:
Every separate building on campus is individually metered for water and wastewater consumption. These data are reported to the local utility, Colorado Springs Utilities, and we receive consumption and other data monthly on the utility bill. We monitor and analyze these data and adjust or repair our water systems, particular irrigation, as needed.
A brief description of any building retrofit practices employed by the institution, e.g. to install high efficiency plumbing fixtures and fittings:
All new building are built with low-flow faucets, dual-flush/low-use toilets, and low-flow shower heads where applicable.
The university has completed numerous water retrofit projects including dual flush 1.6/1.1gpf toilets (from 3.5), .125gallon urinals, .5gpm aerators, and 1.5 showerheads in housing.
A brief description of any policies or programs employed by the institution to replace appliances, equipment and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
A brief description of any water-efficient landscape design practices employed by the institution (e.g. xeriscaping):
UCCS has several locations across the campus that implement xeriscaping, including Science & Engineering, the roundabouts and several medians, the Recreation Center, and part of a demonstration garden recently added behind Centennial Hall. The grass that we have on campus is a low-water consumption fesque mix as well.
Approximately 60% of the UCCS campus is native landscaping. This is defined as native plant life allowed to grow mostly unassisted and unchecked. These areas enhance UCCS's unique image and dedication to living in cooperation with our unique environment. UCCS encourages low water landscapes to be used as much as possible when designing and constructing new buildings on campus. Some of our LEED buildings achieved the credit for no permanent irrigation, however, in this climate this is a difficult proposition to keep vegetation alive.
WE have also built several rain gardens to slow water and keep moisture on our vegetation for longer periods. We are on a clay bluff system, so issues of runoff are significant.
In the new Lane Center, water from the roof is channeled through the gardens and the parking lot is sloped so that water can run into the vegetated medians.
A brief description of any weather-informed irrigation technologies employed by the institution:
The campus purchased a Davis weather station to interface with the Rainbird irrigation system. This weather station is installed and being tested.
A brief description of other water conservation and efficiency strategies employed by the institution:
When possible due to weather and other conditions, we utilize reduced water-use irrigation strategies and low-water use plants and landscaping.
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.