| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.58 |
| Liaison | Brad Spanbauer |
| Submission Date | Sept. 12, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
OP-27: Rainwater Management
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Brian
Kermath Sustainability Director Sustainability Office |
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?:
A brief description of the institution’s Low Impact Development (LID) practices:
UW Oshkosh is committed to reducing the amount of total suspended solids coming off of campus 40 percent by 2013 (using 2006 baseline data). This target is based on state rules; UW campuses are treated as permitted municipalities under state stormwater regulations. In February of 2007, UW Oshkosh 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 University of Wisconsin Oshkosh 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.
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? :
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 current state of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh campus as well as proposed growth. The regulations that will be of concern for the UW Oshkosh campus are 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.
Construction of bio-filters throughout existing parking lots, sidewalk areas and roofs.
Construction of drainage swales with native vegetation to route drainage instead of having direct connections to storm sewer from impervious surfaces.
Because of the large areas of green space, the most cost effective BMP’s would be biofilters/bioretention devices, rain gardens and drainage swales to treat water instead of ponds, porous pavements, and proprietary devices to meet the 20 percent and 40 percent TSS removal requirements. However, these BMP’s may be a viable option for future development governed by NR 151 requirements.
A brief description of any rainwater harvesting employed by the institution:
Rainwater harvested directly and stored/used by the institution, performance year:
A brief description of any rainwater filtering systems employed by the institution to treat water prior to release:
The University has installed numeruous source area control BMPs such as biofilters and storm water retention basins. These bioretention devices use stratified natural material to filter put pollutants before release. Most BMPs have a layer of mulch, soil, gravel, and sand into the ground to reduce groundwater pollutant and control flooding.
A brief description of any living or vegetated roofs on campus:
Sage Hall has an installed green roof system covering about 1/4th of its area.
Horizon Village has a green roof that covers 1/7th of its area.
A brief description of any porous (i.e. permeable) paving employed by the institution:
A brief description of any downspout disconnection employed by the institution:
A brief description of any rain gardens on campus:
A brief description of any stormwater retention and/or detention ponds employed by the institution:
The University has installed numeruous source area control BMPs such as biofilters and storm water retention basins. These bioretention devices use stratified natural material to filter put pollutants before release. Most BMPs have a layer of mulch, soil, gravel, and sand into the ground to reduce groundwater pollutant and control flooding.
A brief description of any bioswales on campus (vegetated, compost or stone):
Vegetated swales are installed between Kolf Fieldhouse and the Tennis Courts, between Titan Stadium and the road, between Sage Hall and the parking lots, and between Horizon Village and the road. All large parking lots now have swales. Bioswales have been installed along buildings close to the river to reduce pollution due to solid surface runoff. These buildings include Sage Hall, Alumni Welcome & Conference Center, and the SRWC.
A brief description of any other rainwater management technologies or strategies employed by the institution:
Natural vegetation is being restored between the WIOWASH Trail and the river to reduce sheet runoff rates (improvement from lawn). Street Sweepers are used to clean sand and debris from parking lots on a regular basis. Educational and informational signage has been installed at a vegetated swale. Stenciled signs for “no waste dumping” are placed near storm water inlets. Public education events coincide with Earth Charter Community Summit and Earth Day activities.
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:
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.