| Overall Rating | Reporter - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | |
| Liaison | Christopher Williams |
| Submission Date | Feb. 16, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Delaware
OP-23: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
Which of the following best describes the institution’s approach to rainwater management?:
A brief description of the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices:
UD takes stormwater runoff very seriously, as most of our campus drains into a groundwater refresh zone. It is standard practice on campus to design rain gardens, bio-swales and other natural features into our landscaping for Low Impact Development benefits. UD builds all new buildings to LEED Silver standards (including our Harker ISE Labs, Caesar-Rodney Residence & Dining Hall, and our new dorm currently under construction), which includes green roofs and LID landscaping practices. We are also investigating the potential benefits of regenerative engineering for current and future stormwater management projects, with the hopes that such practices become standard practice or policy. UD also has a long tradition of laying brick walking paths instead of using concrete wherever possible; they are somewhat permeable. UD also installed permeable artificial turf fields in several areas where students frequently recreate to reduce chemical use and mud runoff from lawns that could not be adequately maintained.
A copy of the institution’s rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines:
A brief description of the institution’s rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines that supports the responses above:
UD employs a number of strategies to manage our stormwater runoff impacts, including:
- Incorporating LID designs into new or renovated landscaping (e.g. rain gardens) explicitly to manage stormwater runoff.
- Choosing plants in our landscaping that contribute to stormwater management through water uptake during rain events, drought tolerance (reduced irrigation needs and runoff potential), nutrient or pollutant uptake, and other beneficial qualities.
- Using permeable pavement wherever possible, including brick walkways instead of concrete, and permeable artificial turf where lawns cannot be maintained.
- Creation and management of wetlands in appropriate areas to manage stormwater
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives 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.