| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.34 |
| Liaison | Jennifer Andrews |
| Submission Date | July 29, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of New Hampshire
OP-26: Water Use
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.24 / 4.00 |
Matt
O'Keefe Campus Energy Manageer Energy Office |
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 | 154,045,851 Gallons | 137,038,629 Gallons |
Potable water use::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Potable water use | 114,622,998 Gallons | 121,092,867 Gallons |
Figures needed to determine "Weighted Campus Users"::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Number of residential students | 7,821 | 6,274 |
| Number of residential employees | 23 | 23 |
| Number of in-patient hospital beds | 0 | 0 |
| Full-time equivalent enrollment | 14,182 | 13,740.53 |
| Full-time equivalent of employees | 3,286.70 | 2,986.80 |
| Full-time equivalent of distance education students | 28 | 0 |
Gross floor area of building space::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Gross floor area | 5,737,899 Square feet | 5,716,733 Square feet |
Area of vegetated grounds::
| Performance Year | Baseline Year | |
| Vegetated grounds | 395 Acres | 395 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, 2004 | June 30, 2005 |
A brief description of when and why the water use baseline was adopted:
The baseline year of 2005 was set by our STARS 2011 submission as 2005 was the required baseline year.
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Recycled/reused water withdrawn from off-campus sources, performance year: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:
The 2009 renovation of James Hall included a gray water system that captures rainwater from the building’s roof and gutters for use in toilets and urinals.
UNH typically does not install irrigation as part of building projects. IPM policies, including limited irrigation only where necessary, are followed.
A brief description of any water metering and management systems employed by the institution:
Every building is metered for end use consumption of water, electric, gas, hot water heat, steam heat, and chilled water for A/C. Water meters are basic flow meters that spin a display device based on the volume of water passing through the meter. Like all other meters, they are read manually once a month for data collection and analysis. We are in the process of upgrading all meters to an automated meter reading system (AMR), so we can monitor the meters remotely and more frequently (every hour). This allows us to look at building consumption more frequently and to allow us to analyze real time loads being used in the building for better energy management. This data will soon be available on the web for the campus community to select data by building.
A brief description of any building retrofit practices employed by the institution, e.g. to install high efficiency plumbing fixtures and fittings:
Where economically feasible, high efficiency fixtures and fittings are installed as buildings are renovated or new construction is developed.
A brief description of any policies or programs employed by the institution to replace appliances, equipment and systems with water-efficient alternatives:
Where economically feasible, high efficiency fixtures and fittings are installed as buildings are renovated or new construction is developed.
A brief description of any water-efficient landscape design practices employed by the institution (e.g. xeriscaping):
Although UNH is located in area that receives ample precipitation throughout the year, the Landscape Master Plan recognizes the importance of drought-resistant plants. For all recommended native tree, shrub, and vine species, the Landscape Master Plan identifies the moisture requirements of each plant species. Moreover, the Plan emphasizes that native plants are better adapted to local climate and soil conditions.
UNH typically does not install irrigation as part of building projects. Integrated Pest Management policies, including limited irrigation only where necessary, are followed.
A brief description of any weather-informed irrigation technologies employed by the institution:
Because UNH is located in a region that receives ample precipitation, irrigation is used very little on campus. The athletic fields are the primary sites for irrigation, and they use weather data to determine irrigation schedules as necessary.
A brief description of other water conservation and efficiency strategies employed by the institution:
Under UNH's Biodiversity Education Initiative and EcoSystem Task Force, the university strives to conserve water and preserve its quality.
- UNH departments and offices have been installing hydration stations across campus. UNH Dining does not provide bottled water in the dining halls. Hydration stations are available for students to fill their reusable water bottles at the Memorial Union Building and several residence halls on campus.
- UNH Housing uses Symmons Hyda pipe shower valves with low flow shower heads, SymmonsTouch Free low flow toilet Valves, and SymmonsTouch free low flow Sink Faucets in Williamson, Christensen and Hubbard Halls.
- UNH Dining uses low water use fixtures and urinals in dining halls.
- "Tap In" Educational Series" In 2010-2011, student interns worked with the non-profit group Food & Water Watch and the Sustainability Institute to conduct a "Take Back the Tap" Campaign to educate students and staff on the negative social and environmental issues surrounding the use of bottled water. Student interns continue to educate the UNH community about water use on campus.
- In academic year 2013-2014, the UNH University-wide Dialogue was on water and included an April 2014 event about UNH water sources and usage: http://www.unh.edu/discovery/events-201314
The website URL where information about the institution’s water conservation and efficiency initiatives is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Baseline year is 2005.
FTE enrollment numbers include credit and non-credit/continuing education students and are accurate as of Fall 2006.
Employee FTE data for baseline year as of 1/31/2005. HR data for 2005 have some inconsistencies: UNH HR was just beginning to transact HR activity in a new Banner system and there was little consistency in how FTE values were recorded. Headcounts were more accurate than rather than FTE, but this credit calls for FTE. The FTE employee 2005 number listed does not include adjunct staff as those data are suspect.
Water data are for FY2005 (through June 30, 2005) and FY13 (through June 30, 2013).
Potable water use excludes irrigation meters at the UNH Field House, agriculture and recreation fields, and outdoor pool and plant makeup.
UNH's co-generation heat and power plant uses cooling towers that use water as part of the process for generating heat and electricity. Therefore, not all of this water consumption is used by faculty, staff and students on campus directly.
Landscaping/irrigation contacts: Robert Bennett (UNH Facilities, (603) 862-9202, r.bennett@unh.edu) and Ronald Lavoie (UNH Facilities, (603) 608-9207, Ronald.Lavoie@unh.edu)
Baseline year is 2005.
FTE enrollment numbers include credit and non-credit/continuing education students and are accurate as of Fall 2006.
Employee FTE data for baseline year as of 1/31/2005. HR data for 2005 have some inconsistencies: UNH HR was just beginning to transact HR activity in a new Banner system and there was little consistency in how FTE values were recorded. Headcounts were more accurate than rather than FTE, but this credit calls for FTE. The FTE employee 2005 number listed does not include adjunct staff as those data are suspect.
Water data are for FY2005 (through June 30, 2005) and FY13 (through June 30, 2013).
Potable water use excludes irrigation meters at the UNH Field House, agriculture and recreation fields, and outdoor pool and plant makeup.
UNH's co-generation heat and power plant uses cooling towers that use water as part of the process for generating heat and electricity. Therefore, not all of this water consumption is used by faculty, staff and students on campus directly.
Landscaping/irrigation contacts: Robert Bennett (UNH Facilities, (603) 862-9202, r.bennett@unh.edu) and Ronald Lavoie (UNH Facilities, (603) 608-9207, Ronald.Lavoie@unh.edu)
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.