| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 54.65 |
| Liaison | Kelly Nowicki |
| Submission Date | May 20, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
OP-27: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Daniel
Sweetman ADMIN PRG MANAGER III HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
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
None
A brief description of the institution’s Low Impact Development (LID) practices:
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UW-L) is committed to reducing the amount of total suspended solids (TSS) coming off of campus 20 percent by 2013 (using 2004 baseline data). This target is based on state rules; UW campuses are treated as permitted municipalities under state storm water regulations. In January of 2007, UW-L submitted an application to receive a Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) permit that governs the discharge of storm water from campus into the local storm water sewer system. The need for this permit developed in response to several Federal and State regulations pertaining to protection of clean water, including the Federal Clean Water Act 1972 and Wisconsin DNR Regulations NR 151, NR 216, and NR 116.
Prior to the enactment of the WPDES permit requirements the UW-L had undertaken the following steps related to storm water management:
a. Developed a storm water management plan.
b. Performed routine semi – annual cleaning of parking lots.
c. Performed routine litter patrols of the campus.
d. Required the mandatory installation of silt fences around construction sites.
None
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
None
A brief description of the institution’s rainwater/stormwater management policy, plan, and/or strategies for ongoing campus operations:
The main goals of this plan are to provide a guide to meet storm water regulations for the UW-L campus in the present and future. The regulations that are of concern for the UW-L are WI Department of Natural Resources (NR) 116, NR 151, and NR 216.
NR 116 governs future development in floodplain areas.
NR 151 governs storm water requirements for future building projects including reconstruction projects and new development.
Plans include installation of additional bioinfiltration basins and catch basins during construction and remodeling of campus facilities. Projects may also include installation of drainages swales with native vegetation to route drainage instead of having direct connections to storm sewer from impervious surfaces.
The most cost effective best management practices (BMP’s) at UW-L include biofilters/ bioretention devices, rain gardens, drainage swales and catch basins to treat water instead of ponds, porous pavements, and proprietary devices. UW-L achieved the 20 percent TSS removal requirement in 2011. UW-L continues to integrate storm water BMP’s into all parking lot updates, building remodel projects and new construction.
None
A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:
The UW-L does not have rain barrels to collect rain discharged from its roof or other collection spots.
None
Rainwater harvested directly and stored/used by the institution, performance year:
0
Gallons
None
A brief description of any rainwater filtering systems employed by the institution to treat water prior to release:
The UW-L uses a storm water BMP, known as disconnection. Disconnection is the routing of storm water from impervious surfaces, such as rooftops or parking lots, which drain directly onto pervious (vegetated) surfaces and allow for some storm water infiltration before runoff enters the conveyance system.
None
A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:
The UW-L does not have living or vegetated roofs on any facilities.
None
A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:
The UW-L does not have any porous paving.
None
A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
The UW-L uses downspout disconnection on numerous buildings. The downspouts are directed from building roofs to pervious (vegetated) surfaces which allow for some storm water infiltration before runoff enters the storm sewer system.
None
A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:
The UW-L has installed seven rain gardens as part of new construction projects in Eagle Hall (residential living), Centennial Hall (academic), and the Police Building/Parking Ramp. All of the rain gardens/bioinfiltration basins are planted with regionally native plant species.
None
A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:
The UW-L has installed four storm water retention ponds as part of new construction projects in Eagle Hall (residential living) and the Recreational Eagle Center (student center).
None
A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):
UW-L uses grassed swales to treat storm water in a limited number of non-curbed roadways and parking lots on campus.
None
A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:
The City of La Crosse uses street sweepers to clean sand and debris from campus roadways on a regular basis when roadway snow and ice do not exist. Educational and informational signage has been installed at Eagle Hall bioinfiltration basins and is communicated to all UW-L personnel on a periodic basis in campus newsletters. The UW-L Landscape Services group regularly aerates turf to assure good storm water retention.
None
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.