Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 67.28
Liaison Geory Kurtzhals
Submission Date Jan. 4, 2022

STARS v2.2

University of Notre Dame
OP-22: Rainwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Geory Kurtzhals
Sr. Director
Office of Sustainability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Which of the following best describes the institution’s approach to rainwater management?:
Comprehensive policies, plans or guidelines that require LID practices for all new projects

A brief description of the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices:

The institution installed a smart irrigation system that monitors moisture levels and adjusts irrigation accordingly.

All areas use low impact development (LID) systems and practices to use or mimic natural processes resulting in the infiltration and/or evapotranspiration in order to protect water quality and associated aquatic habitat. Natural areas provide habitat, flood protection, cleaner air, and cleaner water. Stormwater is managed as close to its source as possible. Bioretention facilities, rain gardens, and vegetated rooftops are all employed on campus.

The Joyce Center green roof is believed to be the largest at any U.S. college or university. Spanning nearly 2 acres of space along and between the double domes of the Joyce Center, the roof surface is the fifth living rooftop installed at Notre Dame. The University’s other greenscapes are atop the Morris Inn, Corbett Family Hall, Duncan Student Center, and O’Neill Hall. At more than 122,000 square feet, the University’s total living roof system makes up the largest vegetative roofscape in Indiana.


A copy of the institution’s rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines:
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A brief description of the institution’s rainwater management policy, plan, and/or guidelines that supports the responses above:

Storm Water Rule 5 – Construction Site Storm Water Runoff:
The University is permitted by the IDEM to discharge storm water runoff from construction sites throughout campus. The University Utilities Department is a designated Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and is required to have permits for all construction sites with land-disturbing activities of greater than one acre. The appropriate University departments and contractors perform regular inspections of site erosion control measures to ensure their adequacy and permit compliance.

Storm Water Rule 6 – Industrial Site Storm Water Runoff:
The University is permitted by the IDEM to discharge storm water runoff from its industrial area (Utilities Complex). The University performs annual storm water sampling, testing, and reporting in compliance with this permit.

Storm Water Rule 13 – Storm Water Quality Management Plan:
The IDEM requires the University to develop a Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) that culminates with the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that address six minimum control measures. These BMPs prevent or minimize the impact of storm water runoff into off-campus water bodies.

General Permit:
This IDEM issued permit allows for the use of non-contact cooling water from St. Joseph Lake in the operation of the Power Plant. This non-contact cooling water is used to cool plant equipment and is returned to the lake without contamination. Monthly water quality sampling and reporting is performed to ensure the water quality of the lake is maintained.

Individual Permit:
This IDEM-issued permit allows for the discharge of the Boiler No. 4 Dewatering Bin to St. Joseph Lake. Monthly water quality sampling and reporting is performed to ensure the water quality of the lake is maintained.


Website URL where information about the institution’s green infrastructure and LID practices is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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