Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 56.22
Liaison Olivia Wiebe
Submission Date Jan. 28, 2022

STARS v2.2

University of Idaho
OP-22: Rainwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 2.00 Olivia Wiebe
Sustainability Manager
Office of the President
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Which of the following best describes the institution’s approach to rainwater management?:
Less comprehensive policies, plans or guidelines that incorporate green infrastructure

A brief description of the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices:
The University uses best management practices and City of Moscow specifications to reduce or eliminate the negative impacts of stormwater runoff including reducing or controlling flooding, reducing erosion and improving water quality.

Best management practices include:
• Stormwater runoff is diverted away from Paradise Creek toward retentions ponds which hold water until pollutants settle to the bottom. After a period of time water is released slowly into the creek.

• Water quality inlets, also known as separators, remove oil and grease from parking lots prior to discharge to the stormwater drains.

• Vegetative landscaping slows stormwater runoff and reduces or eliminates the negative impacts.

• Regular cleaning of all catch basin and manhole systems helps to control flooding and prevents damage caused by flooding.

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:
As of February 2019, a University of Idaho comprehensive water supply plan is being reviewed by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ). Pending IDEQ approval, the university defers to the Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee (PBAC) Groundwater Management Plan and the City of Moscow Comprehensive Water Management Plan.

Website URL where information about the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The University of Idaho is an active member of Palouse Basin Aquifer Committee (PBAC). This organization is comprised of inter-agency civic organizations and non-governmental entities serving to protect and preserve the Palouse Water Shed and ecological environment as well as improve and restore existing water resources for present and future generations.

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.