Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 55.88
Liaison Jim Walker
Submission Date April 30, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Texas at Austin
OP-27: Rainwater Management

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 John Salsman
Director
Environmental Health & Safety
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution use Low Impact Development (LID) practices as a matter of policy or standard practice to reduce rainwater/stormwater runoff volume and improve outgoing water quality for new construction, major renovation, and other projects?:
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s Low Impact Development (LID) practices:

The University of Texas at Austin has had a storm water permit under the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and now the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) since 2000. As part of this Permit, the University has developed and implemented a Storm Water Management Program to address all campus operations that may potentially have an adverse effect on storm water discharges The program includes new development at the Main Campus, Pickle Research Campus, and the Colorado and Brackenridge Apartments that are owned and operated by the University.
The University of Texas Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP) addresses areas for ongoing campus activities by establishing inspection and monitoring, best management practices, and policies and procedures for University Staff to follow to minimize negative impacts to storm water discharges. UT-Austin has formally adopted the Waller Creek which runs through the main campus under a program called “Keep Austin Beautiful” and volunteer student cleanups of the Creek are organized twice a year.
Inspection and monitoring of storm sewer system, annual open channel and quarterly open channel restriction inspections, procedural and structural Best Management Practices ( BMPs) as well as inspection and maintenance requirements for all construction projects, flood control projects, sweeping and removal of debris accumulation on roadways, requirements for pesticide and herbicide application, illicit and improper disposal identification and elimination, spill prevention and response program, public education, wet and dry weather monitoring.


Has the institution adopted a rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, or strategies that mitigate the rainwater runoff impacts of ongoing campus operations through the use of green infrastructure? :
Yes

A brief description of the institution’s rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, and/or strategies for ongoing campus operations:

University Texas Austin has had a storm water permit under the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) since 2000. As part of this permit, the University has developed and implemented a Storm Water Management Program (SWMP) to address all campus operations that may potentially have an adverse effect on storm water discharges. The program includes new development at the Main Campus, Pickle Research Campus, and the Colorado and Brackenridge Apartments that are owned and operated by the University.

UT Austin’s SWMP addresses areas for ongoing campus activities by establishing inspection and monitoring, best management practices, and policies and procedures for University Staff to follow to minimize negative impacts to storm water discharges. UT-Austin has formally adopted the Waller Creek which runs through the main campus under a program called “Keep Austin Beautiful” and volunteer student cleanups of the Creek are organized twice a year.

Inspection and monitoring of storm sewer system, annual open channel and quarterly open channel restriction inspections, procedural and structural Best Management Practices ( BMPs) as well as inspection and maintenance requirements for all construction projects, flood control projects, sweeping and removal of debris accumulation on roadways, requirements for pesticide and herbicide application, illicit and improper disposal identification and elimination, spill prevention and response program, public education, wet and dry weather monitoring.


A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:

Large-scale rainwater collection systems exist near the Jester residence hall and the Belo Communication Center. Belo has means to measure total collection; the Jester installation is newer and will have metering in the future.


Rainwater harvested directly and stored/used by the institution, performance year:
463,244 Gallons

A brief description of any rainwater filtering systems employed by the institution to treat water prior to release:

N/A


A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:

A simple grass roof has been planted for sections of the new Student Activity Center in central campus.


A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:

A 500sf permeable pavement was recently installed as open-air parking near the San Jacinto Garage. Other pervious pavement exists near the Harry Ransom Center, approximately 1000sf.


A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
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A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:
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A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:
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A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):

The majority of conveyance for the Pickle Research campus is comprised of above ground grass lined swales.


A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:

Storm water vaults for the purpose of collecting storm water capture to be reused for non-potable water sources such as irrigation and toilet flushing.


The website URL where information about the institution’s rainwater management initiatives, plan or policy is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.